Biography
Greg Gaston has been a member of the Bemidji State University music faculty as an adjunct music instructor since 1996. Currently Mr. Gaston teaches MIDI composition, the History of Rock & Roll and the History of Jazz for the university.
Mr. Gaston is a TI:ME (Technology Institute for Music Educators) Level II music technology instructor. His specialties include sequencing, notation, electronic MIDI instrumental ensembles, digital media and recording, internet authoring and computer assisted instruction. He has also been a member of the Educational Advisory Panel and music technology lab installer for SoundTree (Korg USA).
In 1999 he founded the BSU Percussion Ensemble and was the group’s director until 2004. In 2002 Mr. Gaston created and authored the Music Technology curriculum for the university. He has also taught percussion methods I and II, andIntro to Folk, Jazz & Rock along with applied percussion and jazz improvisation classes at the annual summer BSU MusiCamp.
As a percussionist, Mr. Gaston continues to be an active performing artist, educator and clinician specializing in contemporary drum set techniques and rhythm section consultation.
Music technology professors and specialists with whom he has studied include Bill Purse, Lynn Purse (Duquesne University), Dr. Steven Estrella, Jonathan Perl (Logic Pro – Sonic Arts Center, City College of New York) and Tom Johnson (Finale – MakeMusic Inc.).
Musical artists with whom he has performed include Bobby Shew, Denis DeBlasio, Allen Vizutti, Vincent DiMartino, Rex Richardson, Chris Vadala, The Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, Mickey Rooney, and The Diamonds. Percussionists with whom he has studied privately include Dr. Thomas L. Davis (University of Iowa), James Coffin (University of Northern Iowa), G. Alan O’Connor, Jeffrey Kowalsky and The Black Earth Percussion Group (Northern Illinois University), Ed Soph, Louis Hayes and Louie Bellson.
Mr. Gaston was the recipient of the 1995 Distinguished Artist Award in Performing Arts from the Region 2 Arts Council / McKnight Foundation. Along with being a featured composer and performing artist for the PBS television series Backroads from 1989-1995, he has also released a compact disc of all original contemporary instrumental compositions entitled, “Serious Fun”.
Currently Mr. Gaston performs with the Bemidji Jazz Quartet and is pit percussionist for the Paul Bunyan Playhouse.