About ZT

GRAMMY-nominated music educator Zach Thomas is the Director of Instrumental Music at Ledyard High School in Ledyard, CT, where he directs the Symphonic Band, Ledyard Winds, Jazz Band, and The Ledyard Colonel Marching Band. He also teaches music production, guitar, keyboard, music theory, and music appreciation courses at LHS.

Mr. Thomas is the Music Director and Conductor of The Original Waterford Community Band. He was the Director of Instrumental Music (grades 4-12) for the North Stonington Public Schools for five years, where his program earned Platinum distinction in competition.

Zach served as the Woodwind Instructor for the Norwalk High School Marching Band. During his tenure, the woodwind section was awarded "Best Woodwinds" and the band was awarded "Best Music" in the CT Musical Arts Conference National Class Championships every year. The band won multiple National Class state championships during his time there.

He has an eclectic taste for all music. He lived in NYC and worked as a studio and touring musician for several hip hop artists, including Curren$y, Stalley, and Ski Beatz (best known as Jay-Z's producer). Based on his experiences working with Ski and others, he developed his own Music Production curriculum for high school students. Zach has performed as a member of regional pop/rock/country bands and worked extensively in musical theater pit orchestras as a conductor/music director, guitar doubler, and woodwind doubler.

Mr. Thomas earned his Master of Music degree in Music Education with an emphasis in teaching artistry from Bowling Green State University. Zach also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education from Western Connecticut State University, where he studied classical and jazz saxophone and was president of the National Association for Music Education university chapter. He remains an active member as an educator today. Zach was also inducted into the American School Band Directors Association in 2024. He resides in Ledyard with his wife, two children, and dog.