Tom graduated with honors from the Guitar Institute of Technology in Hollywood, Calif. and received the Gibson Guitar Award for Outstanding Achievement and the Howard Roberts Fusion Guitar.  He has studied with notable guitarists including:
General Music with Frank Novotny,
Jazz with Joe Rumoro and Stu Pierce,
Jazz Fusion with Joe Diorio and Don Mock,
Classical Guitar with Howard Alden,
Rock with Jim Fairs and Don Mock,
Blues with Kimbo Smith and Danny Gilbert,
Country with Al Bruno.
Tom has played for professional entertainers Jim Bailey, Shirley Bassey, and toured with John Gary.  Tom and his wife, Karen, continue to perform in the Chicago area.  He has played for Chicago area musical theater, and done studio work at major studios in LA and Chicago.  Tom has been teaching guitar for over 30 years.  His students, such as Muriel Anderson, have gone on to play and tour professionally.