同城快约

Thomas, Dr. Jackson
Director of Choral Activities
Location/Building: Utt 211
(660) 543-4162
jthomas@ucmo.edu

 

Originally from Carrollton, Missouri, Dr. Jackson Thomas is a composer, conductor, tenor, and music educator whose work brings together choral performance, contemporary composition, music education, and community engagement. Since 2021, he has served as Director of Choral Activities at the 同城快约, where he directs the university's choral ensembles and teaches courses in choral conducting, vocal music, music education, and related areas.

Under Dr. Thomas's direction, the 同城快约 choral program has experienced significant growth, setting a university record for choir enrollment for three consecutive years. The ensembles have performed at the Missouri Music Educators Association Conference and have undertaken international performance tours to the Baltic States and Greece. In May 2027, the 同城快约 choirs will perform at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

Prior to becoming Director of Choral Activities, Dr. Thomas served as Associate Director of Choral Activities and Opera Director at 同城快约. His teaching experience includes primary and secondary music education positions throughout Missouri and Kansas, giving him a broad perspective on music education across educational levels. His teaching and conducting are grounded in a commitment to inclusive, engaging, and innovative approaches to choral music-making.

Dr. Thomas is a passionate advocate for new and innovative choral music. He is the Founder and Artistic Director of KC VITAs, an organization dedicated to "amplifying unheard voices through new vocal music and transformative experiences for a more empathetic and connected community." Since its founding in 2015, KC VITAs has presented more than 100 world-premiere performances, providing opportunities for composers and performers and expanding the contemporary vocal repertoire through meaningful and cutting-edge concert experiences. Their debut album "when we arrive at home" was released in 2025 under NEUMA Records and is available on all streaming platforms.

His compositions have received recognition including the Opus Award for Excellence in Choral Composition. His research and creative scholarship focus on composer-conductor collaboration, inclusivity in choral music, and the pedagogy of minimalist and extended vocal techniques. He has presented his work at the Missouri Choral Directors Association Conference and the Southwestern American Choral Directors Association Conference and has been selected to present at the 2027 national conference of the American Choral Directors Association in Minneapolis.

His conference presentations of particular note include work related to "The Lavender Scores," a forthcoming publication from Dulcamara Press. The project explores LGBTQ+ voices and representation in choral music and reflects Dr. Thomas's broader interest in expanding the repertoire and possibilities of contemporary choral art.

Dr. Thomas is an active leader in the Missouri and national choral and music education communities. He has served multiple terms on the Board of Directors of the Missouri Choral Directors Association and currently serves as Vice President for Colleges and Universities on the Board of Directors of the Missouri Music Educators Association.

In 2025, he received the Podium Award for Significant Contributions to the Choral Art from the Missouri Choral Directors Association, recognizing his work surrounding the 同城快约 choral program's performance at the Missouri Music Educators Association Conference. His professional service and conference presentations reflect his commitment to advancing choral music, supporting music educators, and fostering greater access to innovative and inclusive repertoire.

Beyond the university, Dr. Thomas remains active as a tenor soloist, private voice teacher, composer, and community music educator. He serves as Artistic Director of the Northland Community Choir and previously served for a decade as Director of Choral Music at St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Lenexa, Kansas.

A licensed ZUMBA instructor, Dr. Thomas also teaches a ZUMBA class on the 同城快约 campus as a benefit for the choral program. The class combines movement, wellness, and community-building while providing additional support for 同城快约's choral activities.

Dr. Thomas holds a Bachelor of Arts in Vocal Performance from the University of Nebraska鈥揕incoln and a Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting from the University of Kansas. His compositions are published through MusicSpoke and are available at .