Russ Thomas is owner and "CEO" of Thomas Music.  He was educated at SUNY Fredonia and holds a Master's degree in Music Education.  Russ learned the art of instrument repair in 1967 under the watchful eye of Dominic Puccio.  He opened his own shop in 1968.  Additional training took place at the former Allied School in Wisconsin in the early 1970's.  He attended numerous Allied sponsored workshops and seminars prior to the formation of NAPBIRT (National Association of Professional Band Instrument Repair Technicians).  Russ was involved with NAPBIRT from the beginning - becoming a charter member in 1976.  He has attended many NAPBIRT conferences around the country.

Russ is extremely active in the community.  He has been the conductor of the Irondequoit Concert Band for 12 years, is President of the Irondequoit Arts Council, has been a volunteer fireman with Point Pleasant for 40+ years and is currently the Treasurer of the fire department.


Jennifer (Thomas) Nicoletti, Russ' daughter, was also educated at SUNY Fredonia where she graduated with a bachelor's degree.  She worked in the field of Human Resources for ten years before changing careers to work with her father as a band instrument repair technician in 2000.

Jennifer is currently the President of NAPBIRT.  She regularly attends national and regional conferences to continue her repair training and education and has taken two courses at the national training facility to advance her skills in saxophone and flute repair.

Jennifer is active in the community playing French horn in the Irondequoit Concert Band.  She attends Irondequoit Presbyterian Church where she sings in the choir, is a member of the bell choir and participates on various committees.