Thomas Claesen
Quads
Thomas Claesen is excited to start his seventh season with Rhythm X. He has taught marching ensembles and English in Europe, Africa, and the Americas.
Born and raised in Belgium, Thomas moved to the States in the fall of 2017. He now lives in Nashville, TN with his wife Chelsea and their energetic dog Rachel. In the fall of 2025, Thomas launched Quadlingual, a new educational resource for marching tenors, including media, merch, and a new book on quads.
Thomas marched drum corps at The Academy (2008-2009), Santa Clara Vanguard (2010) and The Cavaliers (2011). Some of his teaching experiences include being the battery arranger and coordinator for DrumSpirit (2010-2017), teaching the quadlines at The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps (2012-2013), the Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps (2017-2019), the Mandarins Drum and Bugle Corps (2022), and Carolina Crown (2023), representing Innovative Percussion as an educational artist, working with the Field Band Foundation in South Africa, and being an English lecturer at VIVES University College.