About Don Gardo

I graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree from Georgia State University in

Atlanta where I studied with members of the Atlanta Symphony, retired trombonist Harry Maddox and tubist Michael Moore. My most influential teachers include members of the Chicago Symphony: Charles Vernon, Edward Kleinhammer, and most importantly, Arnold Jacobs.

While still attending GSU, I performed with the Atlanta Symphony, Savannah Symphony, and the Spoleto Festival Orchestra in Charleston, South Carolina and Spoleto, Italy. Playing with the Atlanta Symphony I participated in a Northeast tour performing Berlioz's "Requiem" in the Kennedy Center in Washington DC and Carnegie Hall in NYC. Freelance work in Atlanta includes performing in orchestras for the American Ballet Theater, Henry Mancini, Doc Severinson, Peter Nero, Bob Hope, Ray Charles, and various touring Broadway musicals.

I started teaching private trombone lessons while in college and have continued to do so since

then, accumulating almost 40 years of teaching experience. Upon graduation from college, I continued performing with the Atlanta and Savannah orchestras, the Ritz Carlton Jazz Orchestra, the Colorado Philharmonic, and I eventually won the principal trombone job with the Virginia Symphony and Virginia Opera Orchestra.

Recordings include two holiday big band CDs with the Ritz Carlton Orchestra, Respighi's "The Pines of Rome" and Boito's "Prologue to Mephistopheles" with the Atlanta Symphony, Robert Shaw, conducting. While living in Pittsburgh, I performed with the Trinity Jazz Orchestra, Edgewood Symphony Orchestra and the North Pittsburgh Philharmonic.

My musical teaching philosophy can best be described as “Wind and Song”. Music is an art form which should be the primary focus.