Genaro Gonzalez
ASO Principal Percussionist, Genaro Gonzalez, is currently Professor of Music and Coordinator of Percussion at Texas State University. Under his direction, Texas State percussion groups have presented clinics and performances at various state music conventions and international festivals including the Texas Music Educators Association Convention, the Texas Bandmasters Association Convention, the Montreux Jazz and World Music Festival, the Berklee World Percussion Festival, and the Percussive Arts Society International Convention. The Texas State University Panorama Steel Band has also toured Mexico twice and performed at Euro-Disney in Paris, France.
In addition to his teaching duties at Texas State, Mr. Gonzalez is a very active performer, clinician, and adjudicator. He currently serves as Principal Percussionist with the Austin Symphony Orchestra and the Austin Lyric Opera, and he frequently performs with the San Antonio Symphony Orchestra. Mr. Gonzalez has presented clinics in conjunction with the Yamaha Corporation of America, Sabian Cymbals, Mike Baler Mallets, and Ellie Mannette Steel Drums. Mr. Gonzalez has also served on the Educational Advisory Board for the Pro-Mark Corporation, an internationally known manufacturer of drumsticks and percussion mallets.
Mr. Gonzalez is also very active in the commercial music arena, having performed with Lena Horne, Robert Goulet, Johnny Mathis, Mickey Rooney, Carol Channing, Liberace, Barbara Eden, Tommy Tune, Juliet Prowse, Debby Boone, Rich Little, Joan Rivers, and Jerry Lewis among others.
Mr. Gonzalez is very active in the Percussive Arts Society, the international association of percussionists. He served as Host for the Society’s international convention held in San Antonio in 1988, served on the Society’s Board of Directors from 1989 to present, served in the offices of Secretary from 1991-92, Vice-President from 1993-96, and President from 1997-98. Mr. Gonzalez currently serves on the Council of Past Presidents of the Percussive Arts Society.