Thomas Patterson has given recitals throughout North America, the People's Republic of China, Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Mexico, and Italy. For nearly four decades, he has received international acclaim for his direction of the Bolton Guitar Studies Program at The University of Arizona Fred Fox School of Music. Bolton students have won countless prizes at prestigious international competitions including the GFA, Tarrega, Segovia, Montreal, and Stotsenberg Competitions. Professor Patterson’s students currently hold professorships in Colombia, China, the Philippines, Canada, Puerto Rico, New Zealand,  the USA, and Brazil where seven former students hold positions. Professor Patterson has been the recipient of numerous prizes and awards, including fellowships with the Tinker and Kellogg Foundations. The Tinker Fellowship supported performances in South America, where he also studied with Abel Carlevaro in Montevideo, Uruguay and Antonio Lauro in Caracas, Venezuela.