CONDUCTOR/COMPOSER/EDUCATOR GARWOOD WHALEY holds a diploma from the Juilliard School and a doctorate from The Catholic University of America. As a performer, he was a freelance musician in New York, a member of Paul Lavalle and the New York World’s Fair Band of America and, for six years, a member of United States Army Band, "Pershing's Own." His popular workshop Solving Rhythm Problems in the Instrumental and Choral Ensemble has been presented throughout the United States and Canada.

Although the recipient of numerous awards as an educator and musician, he is best known as the president and founder of Meredith Music Publications and as one of the best-selling writers of percussion method books of all time with more than 400,000 copies of his books sold worldwide including Basics in Rhythm and Primary Handbook for Snare Drum, two of the most popular music method books of the past two decades.