Tom Valdez is a cellist, educator, and clinician based in New York City. Prior to his recent move to the area, Tom lived in Winchester, Virginia.

Tom is a strong advocate for new music, due in part to his experience in EDGE Ensemble led by composers David T. Little and Jonathan Newman. There, he was able to work with Pulitzer Prize winning composers John Corigliano and David Lang. In June 2018, Tom attended the inaugural season of Mostly Modern Festival hosted by Robert and Victoria Paterson and the American Modern Ensemble.

Tom is an avid pit orchestra musician, having performed in over twenty musical theater productions since 2012; some of his favorites include Sweeney Todd, The Addams Family, and Green Day’s American Idiot. Tom was a regular member of the pit orchestra at Shenandoah Summer Music Theater from 2013 to 2018. In addition, Tom has worked with National String Symphonia (D.C., Asst. Principal), Washington Opera Society (D.C.), Loudoun Symphony Orchestra (VA), and Labrador Entertainment (VA).​

As a teacher in Virginia, Tom maintained a healthy private studio teaching students from Loudoun, Fairfax, and Clarke Counties. His students were not only recognized as members in their schools’ top ensembles, but as top members of those ensembles as well. He was also in high demand as a sectional coach and clinician. Tom taught sectionals, assisted in orchestra rehearsals, and directed the orchestras for multiple musical theater productions.

photo credit: Ethan Gross