Elijah J. Thomas

Elijah Jordan Thomas began his musical journey at a very young age. Being raised in a household which constantly carried the sounds of funk, soul, rhythm & blues and jazz, music was placed in his mind and his heart and has remained there ever since. Taking up the flute in his third grade year at the Charles W. Henry Elementary School of Mt. Airy, Philadelphia, PA, he became involved with various large and small ensembles that the school offered under the artistic direction of noted music instructor John Zisk. At the same time, Elijah became involved with the music ministries of his home church. Following his graduation from Henry school, Elijah was accepted into the Philadelphia High School for the Creative and Performing Arts, (better known as CAPA High School), and his love for jazz, classical, and gospel idioms soared. Under the guidance of trumpeter and composer/arranger Kevin Anthony Rodgers, Elijah's appreciation for the history of jazz and classical music ran deeper, and with them his determination to bring the flute towards the forefront of the Philadelphia music scene. During this time, Elijah also received private lessons from renowned flautist, Walter Bell. During his time at CAPA, Elijah had the distinct privilege to perform under the direction of trumpet extraordinaire Terell Stafford, director of Jazz Studies at the Esther Boyer College of Music and Dance at Temple University. It is due to this experience with Professor Stafford that granted Elijah the full determination to attend the Esther Boyer College upon his graduation from high school in 2009. Elijah is a graduate of Temple University with a Bachelor of Music degree in Jazz Arranging & Composition and an instrumental concentration in flute performance. He is currently enrolled as a graduate student at the Boyer College, pursuing a M.M in Music Education, as well as an avid performer and educator in the Philadelphia and New York areas.

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