THOMAS HONG was born in In chun, Korea. In 1978, his family immigrated to the United States and made their residence in Philadelphia. He began his musical training at the age of 15 on the piano and continued his musical studies at Philadelphia Biblical University, studying with Dr. Samuel Hsu. Later, he went on to earn a master degree in choral conducting at Temple University and an artist diploma in orchestral conducting from The Curtis Institute of Music where he studied with Otto-Werner Mueller. 

Presently, Thomas is co-conductor of the Campanile Orchestra at Rice University. For the past four years, he was visiting assistant professor of music at Haverford College, where he conducted the orchestra as well as other choral ensembles.  Other previous appointments include music director of Delaware County Youth Orchestra and assistant conductor of The Curtis Opera Theatre, North Penn Symphony Orchestra and New York Youth Symphony, as well as First Korean Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia, where he served as organist and choir director for many years.