Thomas Knowles is the Director of Martial Arts and at Collierville Arts Academy. He has been teaching people how to wield weapons since 1991. He conducts historical padded weapons courses and modern fencing programs for young and old, male and female.
He is also Adjunct Professor of Fencing at the University of Memphis and directs the high school fencing program at Christian Brothers High School (Memphis). He is a member of the US Fencing Association, US Fencing Coaches Association, and the US Chanbara Federation.
See Mr. Tom on Fox-13 TV (March 26, 2009) here:
Using padded weapons, he can offer realistic battle experiences to a large age range without fear of pain or injury, giving students the closest approximation of combat scenarios (outside of video games) that one can get. As Director of Martial Arts at CAA, Mr. Knowles is a Black Sash.
As co-owner of Collierville Arts Academy, Mr. Knowles teaches music arts programs as well as the sword arts. As a musician he has played piano, french horn, trumpet, and guitar. After studying classical guitar under John Stover and then Lily Afshar at the University of Memphis, Mr. Knowles earned a Bachelor of Music with an emphasis on Recording Technology. He has worked as a recording engineer in the music industry, a video editor for commercial production houses, and editor for live broadcast news. His theatre background is extensive and includes work on productions for high schools, colleges, and universities. He has also worked in outdoor theatre with productions of Blue Jacket and Annie Get Your Gun in Xenia, Ohio. Also, he is an accomplished Christian worship leader and singer/songwriter.
He feels truly blessed to be married for over eighteen years to an incredible lady and is the father of four exceptional children.
In addition to actively competing in the Modern Fencing arena, he has worked with actors on stagecombat sequences, choreographing the pivotal swordfight scene in the recent University of Memphis production of Don Giovanni. Mr. Knowles may also be found in the community demonstrating the historical authenticity and modern concepts that make up fighting with an edged weapon.
Past public appearances featuring the Sword Arts have included:
Comcast Fun Day (Click here for pictures/video)
Westminster Academy: Demo (click for pictures)
St George's School: Demo
Sheraton Casino: as Robin Hood
Pink Palace Museum: Demo
Woodland Presbyterian Day School: Demo
Macon Hall Elementary School : Demo
Presbyterian Day School : Demo
Grace-St. Luke's Canterbury Festival: Demo
Malco Theatres: as Zorro
Southaven, MS Public Library: Demo
Memphis University School for Boys: Demo
Lausanne Collegiate School: Demo
The National Ornamental Metal Museum: Demo
Colonial Hills Church: Sermon Demo