Eric M. Thompson returns to the Blue Stars for his third season as bass drum instructor.

Eric's drum corps resume includes marching with the Emerald Knights Drum & Bugle Corps from Cedar Rapids, IA, in 1987 & 1988, and the Star of Indiana in 1989, and 1991-studying with Thom Hannum, Brent Montgomery, Collin McNutt, Bob Dubinski, and Dennis Delucia.

Eric holds an Undergraduate Diploma with distinction from The New England Conservatory of Music in Jazz Performance; a B.S. in African-American Studies with a minor in Political Science from Northeastern University both in Boston, MA; and an M.A. in the Teaching of Social Studies from Teacher College, Columbia University in New York, NY.

Along with an extensive marching percussion-teaching career, Eric is also endorsed by Sabian Cymbals as an artist/performer. He performs extensively throughout the United States, and has toured extensively throughout Europe, and South America-having performed with Joe Lovano, John McNeil, Guaranteed Swahili, and Danilo Perez.

Presently is a College Board certified Advanced Placement educator at Washington High School in Cedar Rapids, IA, and also serves as director of percussion for the Warrior Marching Band.