Dr.BRITTA THOMAS

Dr. Britta Thomas is a Los Angeles-based cellist and music educator, known for her creativity and expressive artistry. She maintains an active freelance performance career throughout Southern California, performing with the Whittier Regional Symphony as well as in orchestral, chamber, and commercial projects. A passionate advocate for contemporary composers, she has premiered numerous works written for her and continues to develop innovative collaborations with contemporary composers.

As an educator, Dr. Thomas works with students of all ages and levels through private instruction, youth orchestra coaching, masterclasses, and adjudication. She believes that strong technique should serve musical expression and helps each student develop a thoughtful, efficient, and personally meaningful approach to playing. Her students have earned recognition in competitions nationwide and performed in prestigious venues, including Carnegie Hall. Her current research examines the relationship between motor development and cello pedagogy, with a focus on developing more effective approaches to string education.

Originally from Montana, Dr. Thomas discovered the cello through public school and earned her Bachelor of Music from the University of Montana, followed by Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Her primary teachers include Fern Glass Boyd and Jennifer Kloetzel. Outside of music, she enjoys cooking, learning languages and life with her dog, Tilda, and cat, Moo Moo.