Eric Rothacker is a graduate of the University of Michigan and is a student of Dr. Jeffrey Lyman and Dr. Colleen Conway (B.M. in Bassoon Performance '18, B.M. in Music Education '18). Eric also completed his student teaching with Mr. Nate Lampman, the Michigan Association of Teacher Educators Mentor Teacher of the Year (2018).
During his education, Eric worked with the conducting and music education faculty on conducting and rehearsal pedagogy to achieve higher artistry with ensembles. Eric led multiple full ensemble clinics for high school bands from the greater Ann Arbor area under the direction of Dr. John Pasquale to highlight effective and efficient methods of communication of an aural analysis from the directors perspective as well as reaching superior performance strategies through regimented fundamental technique for players. He also assisted with bassoon pedagogy research for Dr. Jeffrey Lyman to help write and create a virtual supplement to the most commonly used bassoon method book in the world, Weissenborn's Practical Method for Bassoon. Eric is also a published researcher in the Michigan Music Education Association research publication Michigan Music Educator v. 55 Summer Edition. His article featured research collected from educators across multiple states including California, Massachusetts, Virginia, Texas, and Michigan covering “Observations from Recent Hires in Music Education”.
Being a proficient trombonist and brass instructor, Eric was also fortunate to intern for Dr. Andrea Brown at the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps teaching and instructing the entire 2016 hornline and conductors in conjunction with the Brass and Program Staff. Eric has also been in charge of leading conducting clinics and camps for Drum Majors across several states as well as caption head for the Briar Woods Falcon Regiment from 2013-2017.
Knowing that education involves being a lifelong learner, Eric strives for higher artistry through visual communication techniques and ensemble conducting. In this pursuit, he has been accepted to participate and learn at multiple conducting symposiums from thousands of national candidates including events at Michigan State University, University of Oregon, and Northwestern University.
Eric is a passionate and dedicated teacher who enjoys sharing music and life lessons with his students. He believes in the importance of making music available and accessible to everyone. Eric strives for each of his students to become lifelong learners by teaching important life skills through music.
Currently, Eric is enjoying his first year as Associate Director of Bands at Middleton High School in Middleton, Wisconsin where he teaches multiple general music classes, jazz bands, marching band, pep band, and five curricular wind ensembles. He believes in the importance of opportunities for his students and enjoys collaborating with his coworkers to bring prominent educators, experts, clinicians, and artists to Middleton such as the Akropolis Reed Quintet.
Outside of teaching, Eric enjoys spending time outdoors, traveling, discussing film scores, and spending time with friends.
Email: erothacker@mcpasd.k12.wi.us