Tom began playing the Double Bass in primary school, receiving lessons from Michael Calder (Principal Bass Halle Orchestra) and Diana Wanklyn (Associate Principal Bass Halle Orchestra). Undertaking his undergraduate studies at RSAMD (now Royal Conservatoire of Scotland) in Glasgow under the tutelage of Iain Crawford (Associate Principal Bass BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra) Tom continued his double bass studies at the Juilliard School in New York with Timothy Cobb (Principal Bass New York Philharmonic).

Since returning to Scotland, Tom has been appointed Principal Bass (sitting no.2) with the Orchestra of Scottish Opera and has performed regularly as a freelance player and guest principal with the BBC SSO and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra.

From 2009-2015 he was a founding member of the Scottish Tango Ensemble performing all styles of tango music from the classic Salon and Milonguera repertoire through to the Nuevo Tango associated with Astor Piazzolla.

As well as at the Music School of Douglas Academy, Tom has teaching positions at the RCS and the RCS Juniors department and regularly tutors for the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland.