Our Staff

Katie Thomas

Founder

Katie Thomas literally grew up at Scott’s Music Store. Her father Steve Thomas, was co-owner. Television audiences recognized her in commercials as the “girl who would rather play baseball than practice the piano.” Under the prescient eye of her father, she discovered her niche at Scott’s: working with teachers, ordering music, and teaching piano lessons at Scott’s Fine Arts Studio.

After graduating from UND with a bachelors degree in Psychology, she took off to South Korea to spend the next eight years of her life teaching English in the public schools. Scott’s Music, however, was still the place she considered “HOME.” When she heard of her fathers plans to retire the business, she returned from her life abroad.

Upon the closing of the store in the mall, Katie and her father made the decision to let the gift of music continue to make an impact in this community. They launched Scott’s Strings in 2015 as a way of carrying on the 40 year legacy of Scott’s Music.

Katie recently received her second degree from UND, and L.S.W., and now works for Grand Forks Housing Authority and Scott’s Strings. She enjoys performing in Grand Forks Master Chorale and the Firehall Theater. Though she hates to admit it…her father WAS right. Her baseball glove has long since been retired but her love of music is still going strong.”

Eileen Clark

I still play the same piano Dad got for me at Scott’s music store when I was 7.   At 9, I began viola study at Wilder School, then Valley, Central, Grand Forks Symphony, and at UND  (B.M.vocal performance, B.S. ed elementary education, elementary music ed, secondary music ed / choral.)

Relocating on the east coast to sing professionally, I attended Syracuse University (M.M. vocal performance), and served as Miss New York State for the Miss America Pageant, at which I won a talent award.  Career highlights include many performances as Queen of the Night (Mozart’s The Magic Flute), other roles in regional opera, oratorio and concert work with major orchestras including New York Philharmonic, a decade of touring as soloist with Mark Morris Dance Group, and more years with Gregg Smith Singers, Voices of Ascension, and Toby Twining Music.

I’ve performed with F Murray Abraham, Carlo Bergonzi, Judy Collins, Dennis Russell Davies, Gustavo Dudamel, Josh Groban, Yo Yo Ma, Kurt Masur, Bernadette Peters, Tim Robbins, and Michael Tilson Thomas, but my favorite memories are ones of rehearsing works whose composers were right in the room giving corrections:  Dave Brubeck, Aaron Copland, Danny Elfman, Virgil Thompson, and many times with Ned Rorem.  It has been great luck and a great honor to make my living as a musician.  

It is possible to have a career in music if one is interested in learning the details of the art, enjoys the difficult work, and has a lack of fear!    I’m grateful to have come full circle both in time and geography:  from the joy of that first piano lesson at age 7, to touring, learning from, and performing with those accomplished artists, to coming back home now, exploring music with children, teens, and adults while they find their own musical joy!