David Ratliff is in demand throughout the United States and Europe as a percussion instructor, arranger, clinician, adjudicator and guest conductor. He is currently the Director of Bands at Madison Southern High School in Berea, KY. Additionally, Mr. Ratliff serves as the KMEA All-State Bands and Orchestra Percussion Coordinator.

Mr. Ratliff is a graduate of the University of Kentucky. He received his Bachelor of Music in Music Education (1994) and his Masters of Music Degree (1998) while studying with James B. Campbell. He also holds a Rank I Certification in Music from Eastern Kentucky University (2003) where he studied with Dr. Joe Allison.

Mr. Ratliff was a member of the Boston Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps (front ensemble) and The Cavaliers (both front ensemble and batterie) and the staff of the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps. He has been a member of the faculty of the Bands of America Summer Symposium and numerous Yamaha Sounds of Summer clinic/camps. He has also presented or assisted clinics as part of KMEA State In-Service Conferences and at the MidWest Band and Orchestra Clinic.

Mr. Ratliff is published in the Percussive Arts Society's international publication Percussive Notes as well as the KMEA publication Bluegrass Music News. He has published study guides in Teaching Music Through Performance in Band volume V and volume VI as well as Teaching Music Through Performance in Beginning Band volume II. He has published compositions with Advantage Network and Marching Show Concepts and as part of the 2006 Yamaha Sounds of Summer instructional booklet. He is a Performing Artist/Clinician for the Yamaha Corporation of America, Innovative Percussion Drum Sticks and Mallets, and Evans Drumheads. Professionally, Mr. Ratliff is a member of the Kentucky Music Educators Association, the Music Educators National Conference, Phi Beta Mu and the Percussive Arts Society.