Eric Strasshofer

 

Eric Strasshofer is in his first year as a Graduate Teaching Assistant at Kansas State University, pursuing a Ph.D in Curriculum and Instruction with a Cognate in Music Education.

A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Eric earned his Bachelor’s in Music Education from Adrian College (Adrian, MI), graduating summa cum laude and as the Outstanding Senior in Music Education. At Adrian, he performed with the Bulldog Marching Band, Concert Bands, Jazz Bands, and Orchestra as a tuba player, bass trombone player, and drum major. He appeared with the marching band internationally in the 2012 London and 2016 Rome New Year’s Day Parades. From 2015 to 2021, Eric served as the pep band conductor for Adrian College, leading performances at hockey, basketball, and volleyball games.

After graduating in 2016, Eric began his career as a K–12 music educator at Madison School District (Adrian, MI), where taught band and choir, directed middle school musicals, and founded a jazz band and ukulele elective course. Over his seven-year tenure, he grew the band program to twice its size, led ensembles to consistent Division I and II ratings at MSBOA festivals, and established a high energy pep band culture for the school’s athletic events.

In 2023, Eric accepted a graduate assistantship began his Master’s in Wind Band Conducting at Central Michigan University (Mount Pleasant, MI), where he co-conducted the University Band, assisted with all three concert ensembles and the Chippewa Marching Band, along with being the principal tubist in the Wind Ensemble. Additionally, he presented on his research in conducting movements called A Closer Look at Conductor's Movements at CMU's 2024 Student Creative and Research Endeavors Exhibit, and at the 2025 Michigan Music Conference co-presented a session titled Finding Artisty in Public School Band Literature with his fellow graduate students and conducting teacher, Dr. Chris Chapman.

Eric is a member of Alpha Tau Omega and Pi Kappa Lambda, and an honorary member of Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma.