Tom Pender
Thomas M. Pender has held various positions as a guitar teacher and professional performer, with his teaching skills specializing in jazz and classical guitar. He also teaches all areas of guitar as well as bass and ukulele.
He holds a B.A. degree in Music Composition from UMKC Conservatory of Music and has a Professional and Studio Music degree from the Musician’s Institute of Technology in Hollywood, CA. He is currently a guest lecturer for the University of Kansas School of Music, where he teaches Advanced Guitar Class and Private Guitar. Tom is also a faculty member for Music Matters of the Upper Room in Kansas City, teaching classes as well as providing private instruction on guitar and bass.
Tom also taught at Longview Community College for 22 years. His courses included Private Guitar, Bass, MIDI Music and Music Appreciation Writing Intensive. He also facilitated the use of technology in the Music Department and served on the Cultural Arts Council and participated in professional development and received Awards of Appreciation.
As a technologist, he was an audio engineer and studio musician, producing high energy, high impact radio spots. He was an audio engineer and studio musician at Dillman Sound Studios in Kansas City. At Audio Vision in Overland Park, he provided accurate and reliable services and products for the Kansas Bar Association, including audio production, editing, music arranging, composing, audio-visual support and script writing.
As an independent agent and contractor, he has managed personnel as band leader for Fox 4 Love Fund for Children, Midland Theater, Folly Theater, Municipal Auditorium, Kansas City Parks Commission, North Kansas City Parks Commission, Kansas City Homes and Gardens and many other concerts, club dates, events and fundraisers in and out of the Kansas City Metropolitan area.
He has received the following academic awards from UMKC: Golden Key National Honor Society, Sapientia Es Potentia Honor Society and Alpha Sigma Lambda Honor Society. He also received the Appreciation of Dedication of Service Award from Longview Community College.
