Dr. Robert LedBetter is Retired Professor of Music at The University of Montana (UM), where he was Director of Percussion Studies for 35 years. 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 has been Principal Timpanist/Percussionist with the Missoula Symphony Orchestra since 1990 and has been a frequent performer on faculty solo and chamber recitals at UM. In addition, he continues to be active as a drum set player, percussionist, and steel pan player in a variety of performing groups in the area. 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 others.
He is endorsed by Yamaha, Zildjian Cymbals, Innovative Percussion, and Latin Percussion, Inc.