Tom T. Shelton, Jr. is a native of Greensboro, N.C. and a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with both a Bachelor of Music Education Degree and Master of Music in Choral Conducting. He teaches in the Sacred Music Department at Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ.  This position has a focus on Children’s and Youth Music.  In addition to Sacred Music, Mr. Shelton teaches classes in Conducting and Music Education.  Prior to his appointment at Westminster Choir College, Mr. Shelton served as the Associate Director of the Music Ministry for Children and Youth at First Presbyterian Church, Greensboro, NC.

Mr. Shelton has a passion for music education in all areas: church, school, and community. He taught middle school choral music in Winston-Salem/Forsyth County for eighteen years. During this time he was selected “Teacher of the Year” for both Atkins Middle School and Kernersville Middle School, and in 1999 was presented the North Carolina Middle School Music “Teacher of the Year” award by the NC Music Educators Association. Choral groups under his direction were invited to perform for the NC Music Educators Conference and the NC ACDA Conference. Mr. Shelton worked with the Greensboro Youth Chorus Organization for thirteen years as conductor of the Chorale.

Mr. Shelton is active in the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA), where he served as the President for the Southern Division (2011-2012), National Repertoire and Standards Chair for Junior High/Middle School Choirs (2007-2009), and President for North Carolina ACDA (2005-2007). He currently serves as R&S Chair for Youth and Student Activities for New Jersey ACDA. He has held several offices in the North Carolina Music Educators Association including chairperson for the Middle School Choral Section.

An active conductor and clinician, Mr. Shelton has conducted elementary, middle, and high school festivals and honor choirs in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. In 2007, he traveled to Hong Kong to conduct a piece he was commissioned to write for the celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Hong Kong International School. Mr. Shelton has compositions published by Colla Voce Music, Heritage Music Press, Hinshaw Music Company, and Santa Barbara Music Press.

Mr. Shelton works with the Princeton Girlchoir organization as conductor of Cantores.