Kurt Gartner

Kurt Gartner is a Professor in the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance at Kansas State University, teaching applied percussion, percussion methods, and directing Percussion Ensembles, Keyboard Percussion Quartets, and the Latin Jazz Ensemble. He has held significant administrative roles including Associate Director of the School, Special Assistant to the Provost, and Coordinator of the Peer Review of Teaching Program.

Education:

• Doctor of Arts from the University of Northern Colorado, where he directed percussion/jazz ensembles, taught jazz history, and served as Assistant Director of the UNC/Greeley Jazz Festival
• Former Associate Professor of Bands at Purdue University

His research integrates percussion performance with Afro-Cuban traditions, jazz studies, and music technology applications. As a Tilford Fellow, he led interdisciplinary Cuban arts research, and his Big 12 Faculty Fellowship involved collaborative Afro-Cuban music projects at the University of Missouri. His performance career spans orchestral, chamber, jazz, and commercial genres, reflecting his cross-disciplinary approach to musical innovation.

Scientific awards:

• Tilford Fellowship for interdisciplinary Cuban arts study
• Big 12 Faculty Fellowship for Afro-Cuban music collaboration
• Graduate Dean’s Citation for Outstanding Dissertation on Tito Puente

Gartner mentors students through applied percussion instruction and ensemble leadership, though specific advisees aren’t listed. His administrative roles in faculty development programs demonstrate institutional impact beyond direct advising. As technology editor for Percussive Notes, he bridges academic scholarship and professional practice in percussion.

He directs multiple performance laboratories including the Percussion Ensembles and Latin Jazz Ensemble, creating immersive training environments for rhythmic innovation. His ensembles serve as hubs for exploring Cuban musical traditions and technology integration, directly applying his fellowship research to student development.