Dr. Robert J. Falvo

First Name: 
Dr. Robert J.
Last Name: 
Falvo
Main Title: 
Professor of Percussion
Office Location: 
Room 122, Broyhill Music Center

Dr. Rob Falvo is a full professor on phased retirement in the Hayes School of Music at Appalachian State University. He now teaches applied percussion lessons and the Exploring Improvisation class and directs the Tabla Ensemble, New Paradigm Percussion Quartet, and The New Music Ensemble. 

He has been selected twice by the Hayes School of Music student body for a teaching excellence award in 1999 and in 2023.  

He is a frequent recitalist and clinician in North Carolina and has performed throughout the United States and in various cities in Europe, China, and Japan, with such groups as the Erick Hawkins Dance Company, Gypsy Harvest Annex, and the English Chamber Orchestra. Dr. Falvo has performed in the New York metropolitan area with the New Music Consort, Pulse Percussion Ensemble, The New Music Orchestral Project, and many symphony orchestras and off-Broadway shows with recordings on Newport Classics, DMG, and Koch labels.

He is passionate about improvisation and has facilitated and participated in many concerts and workshops in the USA as well as in Canada; Lisbon, Portugal and on the island of Malta.  He is an active performer performing in improvised solo and chamber music ensembles as well as jazz on vibraphone and drumset.

Dr. Falvo holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in percussion performance from the Manhattan School of Music studying with Fred Hinger, Chris Lamb, James Preiss and Claire Heldrich. In May 2007, Dr. Falvo graduated from the Chesapeake Bay Alexander Studies – North Carolina Teacher Training Program and in June 2007 became a certified teaching member of Alexander Technique International.