Dr. Tom van Oostrom

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
I am an Orff-Schulwerk trained instructor and serve on the board of the Arizona Chapter of the American Orff-Schulwerk Association. I hold a Ph.D. in music composition from Stony Brook University and degrees in music theory/composition from California State University, Sacramento.
Prior to working in Kyrene, I taught private music lessons for ten years, specializing in percussion and composition instruction, and I held an assistantship at Stony Brook University for three years, where I co-taught classical, rock, and world music classes.
I have worked as a free-lance percussionist, performing with orchestras, chamber ensembles, and rock and jazz groups and am a composer of artsy music for large and small ensembles, soloists, and in the electronic medium. I have received awards and recognitions for my music and music-making from organizations such as Meet the Composer, the Davis Arts Council, the Evelyn Day Foundation, and the Festival of New American Music.
I live in Ahwatukee with my wife, Jessica (who also teaches music in the Kyrene School District), our two kids, three cats and Golden Retriever. If I'm not in my classroom, you might find me outside hiking, biking, swimming or grilling with my family.
I am an Orff-Schulwerk trained instructor and serve on the board of the Arizona Chapter of the American Orff-Schulwerk Association. I hold a Ph.D. in music composition from Stony Brook University and degrees in music theory/composition from California State University, Sacramento.
Prior to working in Kyrene, I taught private music lessons for ten years, specializing in percussion and composition instruction, and I held an assistantship at Stony Brook University for three years, where I co-taught classical, rock, and world music classes.
I have worked as a free-lance percussionist, performing with orchestras, chamber ensembles, and rock and jazz groups and am a composer of artsy music for large and small ensembles, soloists, and in the electronic medium. I have received awards and recognitions for my music and music-making from organizations such as Meet the Composer, the Davis Arts Council, the Evelyn Day Foundation, and the Festival of New American Music.
I live in Ahwatukee with my wife, Jessica (who also teaches music in the Kyrene School District), our two kids, three cats and Golden Retriever. If I'm not in my classroom, you might find me outside hiking, biking, swimming or grilling with my family.