Biography

Brian Pfeifer is Instructor of Percussion and Assistant Director of Bands at the University of North Dakota where he teaches Percussion, Drumline, 12 O’Clock Jazz Band, and Music Entrepreneurship. He has previously taught percussion ensembles, drumlines, private lessons, and percussion methods classes in Minnesota, North Dakota, and Washington.

Brian has been active as a performer of new music, playing with groups such as the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber Orchestra, The Box is Empty, Thalia Symphony, Twin Ports Wind Orchestra, and the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra. In addition, he is a founding member of the Sundog Percussion Trio, a group dedicated to commissioning and performing new works for percussion. He has also collaborated with composers to bring new works to audiences. These include Jason Wells, Shih-Wei Lo, Andrew Angell, Robert Brooks, Mike Wittgraf, and Chris Gable.

He earned the Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees from the University of North Dakota in 2008 and 2010. In 2014 he was awarded the Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Washington. His primary percussion teachers are Michael Blake, Tom Collier, and Michael Crusoe.

Brian is an avid whitewater kayaker who spends his free time sharing adventures with his wife, Carrie and sons, Michael (7), Collin (5), and Henry (2).