Teacher Profile: Thomas Keeley

About Thomas Keeley

Originally from Las Vegas, Thomas is a renowned teacher of violin and viola who relocated to Dallas after graduating college. He earned his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in 2010. His primary instructor was Martha Gronemeier, the Assistant Concertmaster of the Las Vegas Philharmonic and adjunct professor at UNLV. In 2023, he completed a dual master’s in music education and violin performance at the University of Texas, Arlington.

Thomas was awarded both music and academic scholarships to attend the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. While there, he had the opportunity to play with soloists Sarah Chang, Oleg Krysa, Hilary Hahn, and directly under the baton of Itzhak Perlman for a life-changing performance of Beethoven 7.

Previously, Thomas served as the founding director of the String Explorers orchestra at DAAYO (Dallas Asian American Youth Orchestras) and as a string clinician and private lesson teacher for Richardson ISD. Most recently he was the orchestra director at Berry Middle School in Mesquite ISD.

Thomas has played as a section violinist with the Sherman Symphony Orchestra since 2015. Previously, he has played with the Greater Texoma Orchestra, as well as the Turtle Creek Chorale and Uptown Players as well as several musical productions including Fiddler on the Roof, Bright Star, Young Frankenstein, Shrek! The Musical, The Phantom of the Opera, and more. In April 2017, he played in the pit for the world premiere of Larry Gatlin’s “Quanah” at Lyric Stage.

Thomas believes performing is crucial to music education and models an active performer's life for his students.