John M. Pollard

John M. Pollard presides over all USA operations and finances for Crafted by Infinity Diamonds of Antwerp, Belgium, specialized producer of the world’s most high performance diamonds. A consultant for manufacturers, laboratories and sellers on three continents, he has lectured for JCK Las Vegas, the American Gem Society in Washington D.C., International Gemological Institute in Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Europe, the Gemological Institute of America Alumni Association, and Polygon symposiums across the nation. John is a Master of Ceremonies for the Music for All National Festival, Bands of America (BOA) Fall Championship events, Colorado State Marching Championships, and other pageantry activities. He is a continuing Yamaha Corporation of America and Vic Firth Company consultant and a District Mentor for the L.D. Bell cluster of schools in Texas. From 1997-2005 John was an Associate Director of Bands at L.D. Bell High School, serving with Directors Joe Grzybowski and Jeremy Earnhart. Groups he instructed were two-time Texas UIL State Marching Champions, PASIC National Drumline Champions, Sudler Shield of Honor recipients, and medaled over 25 times at BOA Regional, Super-Regional and Grand National Championships. His percussion ensembles performed at PASIC, the Midwest Clinic and for TMEA and TBA conventions. For over a decade John was Music Coordinator for Yamaha’s Sounds Of Summer program, instructed Music for All Summer Symposiums, National Festivals, Honor Bands, and the inaugural BOA Tournament Of Roses Band. He served as chairman of the UIL Percussion Music Committee, TMEA All-State Music Selector, PASIC 2000 committee member, and assisted with MTV’s production of Super Bowl XXXVIII’s halftime show. John holds degrees in gemology, education, science and music from the Gemological Institute of America, Washington State University, and Peninsula College. He is published in the International Diamond Exchange, China Gems Magazine, Hong Kong Jewellery Magazine and Pricescope Journal. He has written for Percussive Notes and Drum Corps World and has a collection of percussion solos published through Rowl-Off productions.