Bobby is a versatile percussionist/multi-instrumentalist, composer, educator, and collaborator who loves working with other artists on various interesting multi-disciplinary projects. Bobby and his group Knowne Ghost were featured as the June 2015 issue cover story in Lake Norman Magazine for their contributions to the growing local music scene. Knowne Ghost has performed as a headlining act in major North Carolina cities. 

Bobby drummed for the award-winning University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA) Jazz Ensemble from 2016–2019. He performs weekly as the percussionist for First Presbyterian Church in Winston-Salem and remains a member of the Percussive Arts Society (PAS). Bobby has recently performed with The Union Symphony Orchestra, UNCSA’s Acting Out! (musical theatre), as a dance accompanist, and with various chamber groups, rock bands, and jazz combos, all while maintaining his private teaching studio. 

Recent collaborative highlights include recording for the video and soundtrack of the UNCSA Powering Creativity campaign video (2019), collaborating with UNCSA School of Dance’s Dean, Brenda Daniels, as percussion accompanist for her original composition, Mondrian Duets (2019). Bobby starred in a documentary detailing UNCSA’s all–school collaborative performance of Bernstein’s Mass (2018). Additionally, his jazz combo, Relish Blues, performed at UNCSA’s high profile donor’s event and showcase, NextNow (2019). 

As an educator, Bobby Thomas believes in using the music that the student loves to aid them in their musical journey, while cleverly applying the tried and true pedagogical necessities within. Bobby tailors to the student’s individual needs and interests with a custom curriculum, while never neglecting the fundamentals and technical aspects of musicianship, to aid in leading the student to a healthy and lifelong love of music. In his free time, Bobby composes, records, plays other instruments and goes skateboarding. Bobby Thomas is a graduate of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, having studied under John R. Beck.