Courses Taught
New Horizons Band
New Horizons Jazz Band
Thomas Madeja is a seasoned musician and teaching artist. After earning both a bachelor and a master of music degree, Tom began his career freelancing in Philadelphia where he was soon in high demand as a trumpet player and teaching artist.
While serving on the music faculties of The Darlington Arts Center, St. Francis de Sales School, and working with The Philadelphia Orchestra’s School Partnership Program, Tom was also performing with a diverse collection of ensembles from Symphony in C to Agent Moosehead and Bobby Zankel and the Warriors of the Wonderful Sound, and founded the innovative chamber group Nu Directions Chamber Brass.
Tom relocated to Chicago in 2010 where he quickly began working with The People’s Music School and The Beverly Art Center. In 2011, he founded TJ Madeja Music, LLC. In 2013, Tom co-founded The Chicago Metamorphosis Orchestra Project (ChiMOP), a nonprofit organization dedicated to affecting positive change social through music in underserved communities.
In addition to working with the Depaul Community Music Division, Tom currently serves as Artistic Director for ChiMOP, teaches at ChiArts, manages TJ Madeja Music, LLC, and keeps a busy performance schedule with various chamber ensembles, his own jazz trio, and the local salsa music scene.