Ron Gerhardstein

Associate Professor of Music; Acting Director of Bands

Phone: 253-535-7609

Email: gerharrc@plu.edu

Office Location: Mary Baker Russell Music Center - 202A

Office Hours: (On Campus) Mon - Fri: By Appointment

  • Professional
  • Biography

Additional Titles/Roles

  • Music Education / Associate Director of Bands
  • Washington Music Educators Association, President 2022-2024

Education

  • Ph.D., Music Education, Temple University, 2001
  • M.M., Saxophone Performance, University of Idaho, 1993
  • B.M.E., University of Idaho, 1989

Responsibilities

Music education courses, student teaching and practicum supervision and conductor of University Concert Band

Accolades

  • 2014 WMEA / WIAA Music Educator of the Year
  • Director of the 2017 WMEA Junior All-State “Rainier” Band
  • Published in the GIA Series Teaching Music Through Performance in Band, Volume 11

Biography

Ron Gerhardstein is the Interim Director of Bands and Associate Professor of Music Education at Pacific Lutheran University. Dr. Gerhardstein has enjoyed a long career as a music educator in public school and collegiate settings. At PLU, he currently directs the Wind Ensemble and the University Concert Band and he teaches coursework in the music education curriculum, including: Band Repertoire and Rehearsal, Woodwind Labs I/II, Percussion Lab, Music and Culture, PLUS 100: Transitions to PLU, and he assists with the supervision of student teachers.

Dr. Gerhardstein earned a Ph.D. in music education from Temple University where he studied with Edwin Gordon and Beth Bolton. He also attended the University of Idaho, earning a Bachelor’s degree in music education, and a Masters of Music (saxophone performance) studying with Robert Miller.

Dr. Gerhardstein is a frequent workshop clinician, guest conductor, and festival adjudicator. Prior to coming to PLU in 2014, he was the band director at West Valley High School in Yakima where his band program had a strong reputation for excellence in all areas (Concert Band, Jazz Band, and Marching Band). He has proudly served as an honor band conductor on several occasions, most notably the 2019 APAC Honor Band in Kobe, Japan, and the 2017 WMEA Junior All-State “Rainier” Band.

A passionate advocate for music education, Ron is an active member of WMEA, currently serving a two-year term as WMEA President. In addition, he serves on the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) as the honorary board member for the Fine Arts. Dr. Gerhardstein makes his home in Tacoma with his wife, Jerilyn, an elementary teacher librarian in the Bethel School District.