Tom

College: DePaul University

Major: Master of Music, Orchestral Performance

Year Graduated: 1995

SEA Keynote: 2013 & 2016

Website: tomsharpe.com
Drummer, Mannheim Steamroller / Artistic Director, the Tom Sharpe Ensemble

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Tom Sharpe is the drummer for the Grammy Award-winning group Mannheim Steamroller and an internationally recognized, critically acclaimed composer. He is a sought-out performer and clinician and the creator of his own group, the Tom Sharpe Ensemble. Sharpe’s own compositions have won many awards, including the John Lennon Songwriting Contest and the Broadjam World Music Contest. He is an alumnus of the Interlochen Arts Academy and holds a bachelor and master of music from DePaul University. 

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“Each person has a purpose in life. My goal in presenting at the SEA Conference is to help each participant believe that a career in music or arts is possible. When you tell folks that you are an artist or musician, they’ll often reply ‘Yeah, but what do you do for a living?’ Believing in yourself and your art is the first step in developing the vision to be a successful, career artist.”