WHO IS CHRIS THOMPSON?
Christopher Thompson (He/Him/His), also known as "Master Christopher", is a multi-disciplined performer-composer who creates innovative ways to blur the distinction between genres by merging contemporary art music, jazz, and percussion, with notated rap. He has recently released his debut album “Music Desegregation” in July 2022, which featured nine unique works spanning a plethora of musical styles and instruments while collaborating with over thirty artists and musicians. Performing in venues like the John Coltrane International Jazz and Blues Festival in High Point NC, the 2022 Percussive Arts Society International Convention in Indianapolis, the Eurovision Song Contest in Dusseldorf Germany, and with groups like the Greensboro Symphony and the Winston Salem Symphony Orchestras, he continually expounds on the limits of genre and creates intercultural music.
Originally from Greensboro, NC, Chris is now based in Philadelphia, PA. He is pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts in Music Composition at the Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University. He also serves as a Lecturer of Music for the City University of New York at Kingsborough Community College in Brooklyn. Chris previously taught as the director of percussion studies at High Point University, where he led a comprehensive percussion program. At HPU, Mr. Thompson directed the Panther Pulse Drumline and was the assistant conductor of the Wind Ensemble.
Thompson is passionate about community engagement and inclusive opportunities for music performance. He is the founder and director of Motivational Arts, Performance, and Sound (M.A.P.S.), a company that teaches vision through an inspirational performance of the arts. As a Motivational Performer, he presents an inspirational message in various community settings and encourages underrepresented groups to realize their dreams while experiencing a high level of the arts.
A proud Alumnus of an HBCU, Chris earned his bachelor’s degree from North Carolina A&T State University. There he marched for the Blue and Gold Marching Machine and served as Drum Captain for the internationally acclaimed Cold Steel Drumline. Chris also holds a master’s degree in Percussion Performance and a post-baccalaureate certificate in Jazz Studies from the University of North Carolina Greensboro School of Music, where he served as Principal Percussionist for the University Symphony Orchestra.
Christopher Thompson currently serves on the board of the Alliance of Black Orchestral Percussionists, is a member of the Percussive Arts Society New Music/Research committee, and is an Endorsed Artist for Marimba One and Black Swamp Percussion.