My name is Simon Thomson and I've been playing drums since I was 14 years old. Music has been a constant part of my life for as long as I can remember. I grew up in a musical household where there was always music being played, most of us played an instrument, and by 16 I was already performing in my first band. More than 20 years later, drumming remains one of the biggest parts of my life.

I studied Jazz Performance at Mohawk College, where I graduated from the program, before continuing my music studies at York University. I’m now returning to the University of Guelph to complete my bachelor’s degree, with the goal of pursuing music therapy. That path reflects my growing interest not only in performing music, but also in how music can be used to connect with, encourage, and support people.

Over the years, I’ve developed experience across a wide range of styles, including rock, blues, jazz, funk, country, and pop. My musical background also extends beyond traditional band settings: I’ve performed in a musical theatre production and have experience playing in concert bands and orchestral settings. That variety has helped me develop a broad understanding of rhythm, dynamics, ensemble playing, musicality, and how the role of a drummer changes depending on the style and setting.

Alongside my education, I’ve built extensive real-world experience as a working drummer. I currently perform with multiple bands, most notably with Madison Galloway. Through those projects, I’ve had the opportunity to open for artists including Walk Off the Earth, Alan Frew of Glass Tiger, Finger Eleven, and The Carpet Frogs, and to perform at major events including Meadows Fest in Fergus, Kitchener Blues Festival and Toronto Jazz Festival.

As a teacher, I want students to develop strong fundamentals without losing sight of the reason most of us start playing in the first place; Music is an exciting, dynamic artform that is a lot of fun to create. I believe rhythm, technique, listening, improvisation, creativity, and playing with other musicians should develop together. Rather than treating every student the same, I want to understand what excites each student and use that as the foundation for helping them grow.

My goal is to create lessons that are structured yet intuitive, challenging yet encouraging, and tailored to the individual student's wants and needs. Whether a student wants to play their favourite songs, join a band, improve their technique, learn to improvise, or simply experience the enjoyment of making music, I want to give them the skills and confidence to become musicians.