Thomas Wilkins is Principal Conductor of the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, the Boston Symphony’s Artistic Partner and Community Engagement and Germeshausen Youth and Family Concert Conductor; Principal Guest Conductor of the Virginia Symphony, and holds Indiana University’s Henry A. Upper Chair of Orchestral Conducting.  He completed his long and successful tenure as Music Director of the Omaha Symphony Orchestra at the close of the 2020/2021 season.  Other past positions have included resident conductor of the Detroit Symphony and Florida Orchestra (Tampa Bay), and associate conductor of the Richmond (VA) Symphony.  He also has served on the music faculties of North Park University (Chicago), the University of Tennessee in Chattanooga, and Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond.  

Devoted to promoting a life-long enthusiasm for music, Thomas Wilkins brings energy and commitment to audiences of all ages.  He is hailed as a master at communicating and connecting with audiences.  He has guest conducted orchestras throughout the United States.

Thomas Wilkins has received many awards, including the League of American Orchestras’ Gold Baton Award as well as the Lifetime Achievement Award for Music from the Omaha Entertainment and Arts Awards.  Boston’s Longy School of Music awarded him the Leonard Bernstein Lifetime Achievement Award for the Elevation of Music in Society and he was the beneficiary of an honorary Doctorate of the Arts from the Boston Conservatory.

A native of Norfolk, VA, Thomas Wilkins is a graduate of the Shenandoah Conservatory of Music and the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston.  He and his wife Sheri-Lee, are the proud parents of twin daughters, Erica and Nicole.

January 2025