Ron Gerhardstein

Associate Professor of Music; Director of Band Studies; Advising Associate for Music

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

  • Washington Music Educators Association (WMEA), President 2022-2024
  • WMEA, Past-President 2024-2026
  • WIAA Fine Arts Honorary Board Member 2020-2024
  • NAfME, Music Teacher Profession Advisory Committee (MTPAC) 2024-present

Education

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

Responsibilities

  • PLU Wind Ensemble, Conductor
  • Band Repertoire and Rehearsal
  • Instrumental Lab Courses – Woodwind Labs I/II, Percussion Lab
  • Music and Culture
  • Practicum in Music Education
  • Transitions to PLU
  • Pacific Northwest Honor Band, Director
  • PLU Band Invitational, Director
  • Advising Associate, 2024-25

Accolades

  • 2014 WMEA / WIAA Music Educator of the Year
  • 2017 WMEA Junior All-State "Rainier" Band Conductor
  • 2019 APAC High School Honor Band (Kobe, Japan) Conductor
  • Published in the GIA Series Teaching Music Through Performance in Band, Volume 11

Professional Memberships/Organizations

  • Washington Music Educators Association
  • National Association for Music Education
  • College Band Directors National Association
  • National Band Association

Biography

Ron Gerhardstein is the Director of Band Studies and Associate Professor of Music 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 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.

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.