Tom was the first guitarist to study at the Yehudi Menuhin School, funded by a bursary from the Rolling Stones. Since then, he has performed in rock rhythm sections with Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page (Royal Albert Hall), Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi (Birmingham Hippodrome) and appeared live in a guitar trio with classical guitarist John Williams.
He has worked with many of the leading London orchestras, including the London Symphony Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Aurora Orchestra and London Sinfonietta. In 2023, Tom toured with the LSO and Sir Simon Rattle in Mahler 7 performances at London’s Barbican Hall, Sydney Opera House, Hamer Hall Melbourne, QPAC Brisbane and a run of Berg’s Wozzeck at the Grand Théâtre de Provence. Previous work for the LSO includes the principal guitar part for John Adams’ El Niño oratorio, conducted by the composer, at the Barbican and Paris Philharmonie.
Tom also enjoys a busy performance career across theatre, opera and ballet, working with the Royal Opera House, Royal Ballet, National Theatre, Birmingham Royal Ballet and Rambert Dance Company. In November 2021, Tom performed Bach’s Chaconne as a soloist at Sadler’s Wells Theatre with Carlos Acosta and the dancers of Birmingham Royal Ballet choreographed by the Spanish choreographer Goyo Montero. Here is the trailer featuring Tom’s performance. Tom went on to work closely with Chris Austin and Tony Iommi on the creation of Black Sabbath - The Ballet, and was featured in Tony Iommi’s Sky Arts documentary ‘Greatest Guitar Riffs’. Here is the trailer featuring Tom performing Iron Man reimagined by Chris Austin in 7/8 time signature.
Tom’s principal classical teacher at YMS and the RCM was Richard Wright before studying in Graz with Paolo Pegoraro. Tom studied electric guitar with Dario Cortese.