Erin Elstner, conductor, is an experienced percussion and drum set instructor who is currently the head of the Webster University percussion department. She teaches applied percussion lessons and instrumental percussion methods courses for the Webster University Department of Music. Erin is also the conductor of the Webster University Percussion Ensemble. She received her B.M. in Percussion Performance at Mannes College of Music in New York (The New School University), her Music Education certification from the University of Missouri-St.Louis and her M.A. in Orchestral Conducting at Webster University, both of which she graduated summa cum laude with departmental honors. She has taught at the St. Louis Symphony Community Music School, the Third Street Music Settlement in Manhattan and Carnegie Hall in New York City, the Taichung School of Arts and Music in Taiwan, The Strike Institute, The Erin Elstner Percussion Studio, the Wesbter University Community Music School and at Maryville University. Erin is also an active adjudicator and clinician in both Missouri and Illinois and has toured Europe with the Missouri Ambassadors of Music.
As a freelance performer, Ms. Elstner’s numerous performance achievements include playing drums and percussion for the International Women’s Brass Conference, the Joffrey Ballet, Cabaret at the Repertory Theater of St. Louis, Company at the Edison Theater, percussion with Peter Cetera of Chicago, the Grateful Dead reunion tour, Motown, Weird Al Yankovic, the Beach Boys, Ain’t Too Proud Temptations at the Fox Theater, “The True Heart” performance with Glen Velez, the VH-1 Fashion Awards with De La Guarda, “Bright Lights, Broadway” Asian tour, The Who, Cirque Musica at the Hollywood Amphitheater and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, The Wiz, Jerome Robbins’ Broadway, Mary Poppins, Sweeney Todd, Legally Blonde and Joseph at the Muny. She has been a member of the Brazilian groups The Sambistas and the Sambanditos, the new music ensemble Synchronia, the Swing of Hearts Jazz Orchestra, the Bach Society, and been the percussionist/drummer for blues, rock and pop bands, including vibraphonist for Champale and drummer for Hazmat Modine and RED. Erin has performed live with artists such as David Garza and Pizzicato Five and recorded/played on many records including those of Champale, Clem Snide and Kill Henry Sugar.