David Collier is Director of Percussion and oversees all aspects of percussion at Illinois State University. In addition he is webmaster for the School of Music. He is also the principal timpanist with the Illinois Symphony Orchestra, Illinois Chamber Orchestra and the Peoria Symphony Orchestra.

Dr. Collier is also active as a freelance percussionist and has performed with artists such as Mitzi Gaynor, Henry Mancini, Johnny Mathis, Tony Bennett, Petula Clark, Aretha Franklin, Tommy Tune, Roger Williams, Shirley Jones, and Bobby Vinton. Dr. Collier received his Bachelor of Music degree from Florida State University, his Master of Music degree from Indiana University–where he was awarded a Performer’s Certificate–and his doctorate in Percussion Performance and Electronic Music from the University of Illinois. His teachers include Gary Werdesheim, George Gaber, Barry Jekowsky, Richard Holmes, Thomas Siwe, William Moersch, and Scott Wyatt.