Thomas Kraines, a graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music and The Juilliard School, has gained renown as a versatile cellist, composer, and teacher. He performs as a member of the Network for New Music Ensemble, the experimental five-piece ensemble Unseen Rain, the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, and as part of the Philadelphia-based improvisation collective People’s Music Supply. In 2025, he and violinist Diane Monroe, vibraphonist Tony Miceli, and bassist Nimrod Speaks formed a chamber jazz quartet, yet to be named.
A former member of the Daedalus Quartet and Peabody Trio, Thomas can be heard on multiple recordings by those ensembles, as well as on CDs by composers Fred Lerdahl, Lori Laitman, and Jan Krzywicki. In 2024, he collaborated with Dan Rothenberg of Pig Iron Theatre and Sebastienne Mundheim of White Box Theatre to create the show “Bartok’s Monster,” which played to sold-out houses at the Annenberg Center in Philadelphia and at Swarthmore College.
Thomas’ solo cello and chamber compositions have been heard around the world. He has performed his own works in collaboration with artists such as Awadagin Pratt, Mimi Stillman, Maria Jette, Ilana Davidson, and Kinan Abou-afach. His “Hansel and Gretel” was recorded by the English Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Kenneth Woods, with Henry Goodman narrating.
Thomas has served on the faculty of the Longy School of Music, Princeton University, Peabody Conservatory, Phillips Academy Andover, and Yellow Barn. He currently teaches cello at the University of Pennsylvania, where he is also director of the chamber music program, and the Settlement Music School in Philadelphia. He studied cello with Frederic Raimi, Orlando Cole, and Joel Krosnick, and composition with Tom Benjamin. He lives in Philadelphia with his wife Juliette, daughters Rosalie and Clarissa, and two cats.
He has performed at the SLLMF since 2006.
[2026]