TJ Odom, originally from Tuscaloosa, Alabama, is an Atlanta-based ecologist with a fiddle habit. As a lifelong musician, TJ fell in love with music at an early age, playing trumpet from childhood through the end of college. After some time teaching brass and playing in community ensembles like The Savannah Wind Symphony he found a welcoming community in Appalachian old-time music. He fell in love with oral traditions and storytelling culture of old-time, Irish, and Scottish folk music, and he transitioned to playing primarily fiddle in 2020.

While TJ’s formal educational background includes two biology degrees and a PhD in Infectious Disease Ecology, he also offers a wealth of musical expertise and perspectives gleaned through over 20 years of musicianship and over 8 years of teaching experience in both traditional ensemble work and community music settings. TJ has experience teaching students from all age groups, and follows a highly student-led teaching approach, shaping lessons to match the goals of the student. His favorite thing about teaching music is watching his students cultivate their musical identity, not just their musicianship, and helping students fall in love with their own sound. You can find his band, Hibernia String Band, jamming away at community square dances, contradances, hoedowns, breweries, and farmers markets in and around Atlanta.