Thomas Kline works in the School of Music as the Director of Music Admission and Preparatory Programs, where he oversees undergraduate and graduate admissions, recruitment, financial aid, marketing, international initiatives, and the Preparatory Division, which includes the Summer Music Academy.
After graduating from Ithaca College in 2003, Thomas spent seven years as a member of various pop, rock, jazz, Latin, and classical ensembles, performing about 150 times each year. He also maintained a private percussion studio of 30 students, founded an artist management agency called Third Encore Entertainment, and worked as a consultant for Signature Music, a non-profit music organization.
In 2007, Thomas returned to his alma mater to serve as Project Coordinator for the Enduring Masters program, where he administered a grant aimed at highlighting the important careers of prominent musicians over age 65. In this capacity, he organized concerts and events featuring many high profile performers and guest artists as well as coordinated numerous outreach performances to senior residential facilities.
In 2008, Thomas began his current position within the School of Music as the Director of Music Admission Programs. He was promoted in 2010 to Director of Music Admission and Preparatory Programs, taking on the task of starting and administering the Summer Music Academy, a pre-college summer music program that in a short time has grown to serve over 330 young musicians from 20 states and four countries. In addition to overseeing the budget, marketing, recruiting, development, and curricular activities, Thomas hires and supervises over 100 faculty, staff, and counselors each summer.
Thomas has worked to help the School of Music develop international relationships and initiatives. In May 2012, he coordinated a joint concert with Ithaca, Oberlin, and China Conservatory faculty at Carnegie Hall. During the same year he developed a graduate exchange program with the China Conservatory, which will serve as a component to their new Orchestra Academy. Thomas has presented internationally on the subject of applying to music schools in the United States. He also conceived and organized the Summer Transition Program for International Music students, which helps students adjust to studying in the US through language classes and cultural immersion activities.
Thomas is a member of the College Marketing Advisory Committee and has guided the School of Music through two re-branding initiatives, which have required the development of new collateral and marketing campaigns, and he has helped produce brochures, videos, and other collateral for undergraduate, graduate, preparatory, and international programs.
When not working for Ithaca, Thomas continues to perform as a drummer and percussionist with a number of groups including the Panigma Steel Band and various rock and jazz projects. He holds a Bachelor of Music with an Outside Field in Business degree from Ithaca College and will soon complete a Master of Science in Communications, also from Ithaca College. He currently resides with his wife Gina, daughter Leah, and son Preston in Endicott, NY.
