Faculty profile: Dave Zerbe
Dave Zerbe started playing the drums when he was two years old and hasn’t stopped since.
The director of percussion studies and the bands has taught at Alma College since 1988 and joined the faculty full time in 2004.
He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Central Michigan University, studying with the late Robert Hohner.
“I wanted to teach because I had the desire to pass on what I have learned and help to spread a different philosophy of percussion instrument playing,” Zerbe says.
In addition to directing the band and percussion ensemble, Zerbe is the co-host of a two-week summer percussion workshop for high school and middle school students.
“My favorite part about teaching at Alma is the team aspect of the College — everyone is helping everyone else to succeed,” he says.
Zerbe has performed with a variety of ensembles, including symphonies in Saginaw, Flint, Midland, Muskegon and Traverse City and with performers such as Aretha Franklin, Michael Feinstein, Marie Osmond, Sharri Williams, Jive at Five and Rich Little.
He is also a founding member of the Robert Hohner Percussion Ensemble, an internationally renowned recording group with nine compact discs in their discography.
Zerbe also arranges music for high school and college ensembles around the United States and is a clinician and adjudicator.
In his spare time he enjoys mountain biking, camping and spending time with his family.
