Dr. Gifford Howarth is currently Associate Professor of Percussion at Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania – Bloomsburg, located in Bloomsburg, PA. His previous teaching duties included teaching at Penn State University, Michigan State University and Nazareth College (Rochester, NY). Dr. Howarth received his DMA from Michigan State University, his master’s degree from Kent State University, and his bachelor’s degree from Ithaca College. He has presented clinics and workshops throughout the United States, Canada, Asia, and Europe. These include Singapore, China, Japan, Thailand, The Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Sweden, and Malaysia. Also he has presented at The Midwest Clinic in Chicago, the Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC), and several PAS Day of Percussion events. The focus for most of the workshops is geared around percussion education. Dr. Howarth is also heavily involved in different competitive marching activities. He was on the percussion staff for the DCI group, THE CADETS from 1999 to 2006. Over the years he has written for several WGI, BOA, and DCA ensembles. He is currently a national adjudicator for DCI, WGI, and BOA along with several state-wide marching band and indoor percussion circuits. Dr. Howarth has been a National Yamaha Performing Artist since 1998.