“Dave brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and education to this position,” said Garth Gilman, general manager, Band & Orchestral Division, Yamaha Corporation of America. “As a music educator and performer, his background helps Yamaha further the goal of spreading the joys and benefits of music education and gives him the ability to talk shop with the most knowledgeable percussionists.”
Prior to working for Yamaha, Gerhart held the position of director of Percussion Studies at Bob Cole Conservatory of Music at California State University, Long Beach. A composer, arranger, and performing percussionist, Gerhart has worked under some of the most renowned musicians in the world, including Yo-Yo Ma, Zubin Mehta and Yefim Bronfman. He is a founding member of Island Hoppin’ Steel Drum Band and the IronWorks Percussion Duo.
An advocate of using technology in the classroom, he has authored several studies of the use of technology by percussion educators and in 2010, he co-founded DrumChattr.com as a better way for percussionists all over the globe to connect, discuss, and experience quality web generated percussion content online. Recently, Dave has created PercussionEducation.com, a collection of videos, articles, and anything related to percussion.
Gerhart earned a Doctorate of Musical Arts at the University of Southern California in Percussion Performance, along with Master of Music and Bachelor of Music degrees at California State University, Long Beach.
