Dustin Smurthwaite is a professional musician and educator. Dustin started performing at age 13 with a college jazz combo and by 16 had formed his own brass quintet concurrently with various bands ranging from reggae/ska to punk, funk, and blues. He started teaching private lessons at 21 as a way to earn extra cash and to stop putting in so many hours at the record store so he could concentrate on college classes. By 25 Dustin was touring the United States and Europe with various bands and getting experience understanding the big record label experience. At 27 Dustin started working at a recording studio and independent record label filling in the cracks on whatever was needed for a wide variety of recording artists and picking up the intricacies of each genre appreciating the cultural value of every experience and adding vocabulary to his language spoken and musical. 

Seeking grounding, Dustin earned a teaching credential and has been a band teacher at Hart Middle School in Pleasanton California and currently remains a substitute teacher in Pleasanton Unified School District while concurrently pursuing his career and passions as a private music instructor and performer. 

Dustin has 22 years of performance experience and 14 years teaching experience. Dustin loves teaching and seeks to enrich his students with a lifetime of skills and attitudes for success and happiness. He can be seen performing with John Brothers Piano Company and several groups throughout the surrounding Bay Area.