“Ron and his team at Marimba One have truly raised the bar by creating the beautiful, One Vibe. The craftsmanship and precision that went into the instrument is evident by its rich sound and projection. I personally love the magnetic drive system! As a jazz and classical musician, I have an instrument that fits all of my needs and is easy to transport. Thank you Marimba One!”
Dr. Christopher Thompson
Professor Christopher Thompson, otherwise known as 'Master Christopher' is a diverse performer that is sure to entertain! As a Percussionist, Composer, and Rhythmic Lyricist, he actively creates innovative ways to desegregate music while inspiring and electrifying his audiences. Chris has performed throughout the United States as well as internationally in venues such as London, UK and the Eurovision Song Contest in Düsseldorf, Germany.
Chris is the founder and C.E.O. of M.A.P.S. (Motivational Arts, Performance, and Sound), an organization that teaches vision and purpose building through an inspirational performance of the arts. As a Motivational Performer, he currently travels to different churches, schools, and community programs, sharing his testimony and inspiring others to maximize their potential. Through his story Chris creates a unique approach to relate to audiences of different ages and cultures, using compositions that blend Rap, Jazz, Classical, Hip-hop, and World music. Performing with groups like the Mondre Moffett Jazz Society and the Greensboro Symphony Orchestra, he continually expounds on the limits of genre and creates intercultural music.
Mr. Thompson has an extensive background in teaching and motivating youth. He currently serves as the director of percussion studies at High Point University, where he leads a comprehensive percussion program. At HPU, Mr. Thompson also directs the Panther Pulse Drumline and is the assistant conductor of the Wind Ensemble. He also works as an Arts Integration Facilitator with Guilford County Schools where he assist teachers on how to integrate the arts into their normal curriculum. Chris previously taught as the Percussion Instructor for the award winning Blue Steel Drumline of Grimsley High School in Greensboro, North Carolina, as well as served as the Percussion Instructor for the B Natural Academy of Music and the Arts, where he delivered a program that provides quality and affordable music lessons to undeserved children in the Greensboro Community. Chris also taught as the Student Interventionist at the Allen Jay Preparatory Academy in High Point, NC.
Christopher has completed a Masters degree in Percussion performance as well as a post-baccalaureate certificate in Jazz studies from the University of North Carolina Greensboro School of Music, where he also served as Principal Percussionist for the University Symphony Orchestra. He is also a proud Alumnus of North Carolina A&T State University where he marched for the Blue and Gold Marching Machine and served as Drum Captain for the internationally acclaimed Cold Steel Drumline. While in undergrad, he joined the National Honorary Band Fraternity Kappa Kappa Psi and served as the Principal Percussionist for the HBCU Director of Bands Consortium All-Star band in Atlanta, Georgia.