Eric Strasshofer

Eric Strasshofer is in his second year as a Graduate Teaching Assistant at Kansas State University, pursuing a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction with a Cognate in Music Education. His research interests include wind band pedagogy, music teacher education, and the historical and contemporary practices shaping instrumental music education.

A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Eric earned his Bachelor of Music Education from Adrian College in 2016, graduating summa cum laude and as the Outstanding Senior in Music Education. At Adrian, he performed as a tuba player, bass trombone player, and drum major in several ensembles, including the Bulldog Marching Band, which appeared in the 2012 London and 2016 Rome New Year’s Day Parades. From 2015 to 2021, he served as Adrian College’s pep band conductor.

Eric spent seven years as a K–12 music educator at Madison School District in Adrian, Michigan, teaching band and choir, directing middle school musicals, and establishing a jazz band and ukulele elective course. During his tenure, he doubled the size of the band program, led ensembles to Division I and II ratings at Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association festivals, and developed a vibrant pep band program.

In 2023, Eric began graduate studies in wind band conducting at Central Michigan University, earning his Master of Music in 2025. As a graduate assistant, he worked with the university’s concert bands and the Chippewa Marching Band and served as principal tubist in the Wind Ensemble. His scholarly work includes A Closer Look at Conductor’s Movements, presented at CMU’s 2024 Student Creative and Research Endeavors Exhibit, and Finding Artistry in Public School Band Literature, co-presented with his fellow graduate students and his conducting teacher, Dr. Chris Chapman, at the 2025 Michigan Music Conference.

Eric is a member of Alpha Tau Omega and Pi Kappa Lambda and an honorary member of Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma. He lives with his wife, Megan, and their two dogs, Rodney and Bentley.