Instructors

Thomas Swindell (Guitar)

Thomas is a guitarist, improviser, and educator with 18 years of performance experience and 8 years of teaching across a wide range of settings. He began teaching guitar and bass in 2017 while attending Houston’s High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (HSPVA), working primarily with beginner students and developing an early interest in pedagogy.

He holds a BFA in Jazz Guitar Performance from The New School in New York City, where he was the recipient of the Bob and Helen Morgan Award and the Jazz Institutional Scholarship. During his studies, Thomas worked closely with leading figures in jazz and improvised music, including Darius Jones, Joe Morris, Nir Felder, Steve Cardenas, and Mary Halvorson, among many others. While based in New York, he was an active participant in the downtown Manhattan and Brooklyn improvised music scenes, collaborating with a diverse community of creative musicians.

After relocating from New York, Thomas has focused on refining his creative voice and teaching philosophy, viewing pedagogy as an extension of his artistic practice. He plans to pursue a PhD in Music beginning in 2027. His work emphasizes strong fundamentals, improvisation, and independent musical thinking, guiding students toward sustainable, lifelong artistic growth.

Kodey Saldana (Woodwinds)

Kodey Saldana is a Houston-based saxophonist, composer, and educator dedicated to performance, creative development, and music education. An alumnus of Houston’s High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (HSPVA), Kodey is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Music in Music Education at the University of Houston, where he continues to refine both his artistic voice and pedagogical approach.

Throughout his musical development, Kodey has had the opportunity to study with and perform alongside a wide range of respected artists, including Greg Fishman, Clay Jenkins, Paul Meyers, John Yao, Josh Allen, and Jesse McBride. He has also been an active presence in the Houston music community, collaborating and performing with many of the city’s prominent musicians such as Tex Allen, Kyle Turner, Woody Witt, David Caceres, Harry Sheppard, David Craig, Marcos Varela, Jerome Gillespie II, and Armir Lee.

Kodey views teaching as an important aspect of the Jazz tradition and is committed to sharing his passion for music. His work centers on fostering creativity, strong fundamentals, and a lifelong appreciation for music.