Dr. Robert LedBetter is Professor of Music at The University of Montana (UM), where he is Director of Percussion Studies. He holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in Percussion Performance from the University of North Texas, a MM in Percussion Performance from the University of Akron and a BM in Music Education from Mars Hill College. He remains active as a performer, clinician, guest conductor and adjudicator throughout the Northwest.
Prior to his appointment at UM in 1990, Dr. LedBetter taught at Eastern New Mexico University, Tarleton State University, Navarro College and held a Teaching Fellowship at the University of North Texas for four years. He is an active drum set player, percussionist and steel pan player in a variety of performing groups in the area. One of his groups, Salsa Loca, was featured on the Montana PBS show 11th & Grant. In addition, he is Principal Timpanist in the Missoula Symphony Orchestra and a frequent performer on faculty solo and chamber recitals at UM. As a member of the All-Star Trio at the UM Buddy DeFranco Jazz Festival, Dr. LedBetter had the distinct pleasure to play with some of the top names in the world of jazz including Buddy DeFranco, Arturo Sandoval, Michael and Randy Brecker, Lee Konitz, Bob Mintzer, Bob Berg, Slide Hampton, Terry Gibbs, David Samuels and many others. He is endorsed by Yamaha, Zildjian Cymbals, Latin Percussion, Inc. and Innovative Percussion.
