Thad Anderson (b. 1980) is an Assistant Professor of Music at the University of Central Florida where he coordinates the percussion studies program, directs the percussion ensemble, and teaches courses in music technology. Joining the faculty in 2009, Anderson also oversees the Collide Contemporary Music Series. Anderson is a versatile performer and pedagogue with focused interests that span contemporary music, composition, design, electro-acoustic music, conducting, and technology.

Active as a solo, chamber, and orchestral musician, some of Anderson’s performance credits include the Victoria Bach Festival, Austin Chamber Music Center, Round Top Festival-Institute, Syracuse Society for New Music, Make Music New York, Accidental Music Festival, Winter Park Bach Festival, Days of Percussion in Florida, Texas, Idaho, and Oklahoma, the Texas and Florida Music Educators Association convention, Percussive Arts Society International Convention, Austin, Waco, and Brevard Symphony Orchestras, and as a guest soloist with Conspirare and the Monroe Symphony Orchestra. Anderson frequently presents clinics, lectures, and performances around the United States and as far as Bangkok, Thailand.

Anderson specializes in the creation and performance of new music through commissioning and collaborating with composers. Some of these projects have produced new works by Paul Lansky, Marc Mellits, Zack Browning, Steven Snowden, Jonathan Kolm, John Serry, Martin Bresnick, Halim El-Dabh, and Travis Jeffords. Also active as a composer, Anderson wrote and recorded the soundtrack for the award winning documentary film Standard Deviation. Anderson self-publishes original works through +Two Media. Universal Editions, Santa Barbara Music, and Alfred, are also currently publishing some of his projects.

Additionally, Anderson is highly active in the Percussive Arts Society community where he is currently a member of the Board of Advisors, Music Technology Committee, and contributes to the various publications. He is also a frequent evaluator and faculty member at the Music For All National Percussion Festival and Summer Symposium. Dr. Anderson completed his undergraduate work in Music Education at the University of Central Florida and received his Master’s of Music and Doctorate of Music Arts in Percussion Performance from the University of Texas at Austin.

Thad Anderson plays Yamaha percussion instruments, Vic Firth sticks and mallets, Zildjian cymbals, and Remo drumheads.