About this Artist

Terrence Thornhill is the Director of Instrumental Music at KPS. Mr. Thornhill earned his bachelor’s degree in music education by studying cello with Nicholas Tzavaras, a cellist for the Shanghai Quartet. He received his master’s degree from SUNY Purchase Conservatory, studying cello performance with Julia Lichten, the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra cellist. He studied conducting with Ken Lam, the director of orchestral studies at the Tianjin Juilliard School. As an educator, Mr. Thornhill maintains a diverse private studio in the New York Metro Area, teaching students from young children to adults. In addition to his private studio, Mr. Thornhill is the Associate Conductor and curriculum specialist for New Jersey Symphony Youth Orchestras. He is also the founder and conductor of the Harambee Chamber Orchestra, dedicated to performing works by composers from historically excluded communities. Mr. Thornhill is an original teaching artist and current lead conductor for the Paterson Music Project, an El Sistema program serving over 300 students in Paterson, New Jersey.

Moreover, his credits include playing cello on Saturday Night Live and The Late Show with Jimmy Fallon and recently on the soundtrack for the movie Judas and the Black Messiah. He currently plays cello for the Tony Award-winning Broadway Musicals Hadestown and Hamilton. Mr. Thornhill became the inaugural award recipient of the John J. Cali School of Music Alumni Achievement Award in 2018. That same year, Mr. Thornhill was selected to be on faculty at the Youth Orchestras of Los Angeles El Sistema festival, sponsored by the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Youth Orchestras of Los Angeles. He has been on the faculty ever since.