About Me

Hello! My name is Thomas Wharton.

My goal with Harmonic Percussion is to provide everything necessary for student performers all around Michigan to excel in percussion. Whether this is quality instruction in percussion, access to an instrument, custom music that highlights student talents for Marching Band or Indoor Percussion programs, instrument repairs, educational clinics, et cetera—my goal is to provide it all.

I have been a percussionist almost my whole life, and I've been committed to percussion education for the past 10 years. In that time, I’ve worked with competitive ensembles all around the country.

I currently live in Macomb, Michigan, where I am the Assistant Percussion Director and Music Arranger at Dakota High School. In addition to instructing the Dakota Marching Band and Indoor Drumline, I run a thriving private lessons program at Dakota. Outside of Dakota, I am a front ensemble instructor at The Academy Drum and Bugle Corps and Redline Percussion, two of our nation’s premiere world class performing ensembles.

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My teaching history spans many wonderful programs. I was the Front Ensemble Coordinator of Lake Orion High School from 2020 to 2022, taking on the role of Percussion Director from 2022 to 2023. In my years as director I led the ensemble to our first ever State Championship in the PSO class in 2023. Also in that timeframe the Marching Band consistently medaled in MCBA. Additionally, I have taught at Redline Percussion, Apex Percussion, Hastings HS, Ferndale HS, Lamphere HS, Plymouth Canton Educational Park, and Southgate Anderson HS.

In my heyday as a performer in the marching arts, I marched at Lake Orion High School, Northcoast Academy (2015-2017), The Cavaliers (2015), Carolina Crown (2016), and Cavaliers Indoor (2018). I am forever grateful to the many wonderful people who have taught me at these organizations.

I hold a BA in Philosophy from Oakland University. While at Oakland, I minored in music and performed with the Percussion Ensemble, Wind Symphony, Steel Band, World Music Ensemble, and Oakland Symphony Orchestra. Currently, I perform in local bands and orchestras when able!