Ron Abate’ is recognized as a designer, consultant and clinician in pageantry arts.  He has been Executive Director for the Pennsylvania Federation of Contest Judges, and also Visual Education Director and Associate Director in his tenure.

Ron has facilitated and presented educational events to the MENC of The Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam, Pennsylvania Music Educators Association, LMBA, The Mid York Color Guard Circuit, the New York Federation of Contest Judges, Pennsylvania Federation of Contest Judges, New York State Percussion Circuit, Mid Atlantic Indoor Network & East Coast Judges Guild. He has presented research on performer and adjudication motivation and pageantry arts design to numerous performing units and ensembles across the US.

Dr. Abate’ has been connected to many notable ensembles and championship programs: The Empire Statesmen Drum and Bugle Corps, Jersey Surf Drum and Bugle Corps, Cicero-North Syracuse, Northstars, The Laurens “ Jaguars” color guards, Piscataway HS “ Superchiefs” The Rochester Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps, Naples Winterguard, The Penn Trafford Marching Band and Color Guards, the West Genesee HS “ Wildcats” Marching Band and the Kingston Grenadiers Drum and Bugle Corps of Ontario, Canada and the Steel City Ambassadors Mini Corps and California University of Pennsylvania Marching Band; to name a few.

He has adjudicated for PFCJ, IPA, NJNJ, Drum Corps Associates, Drum Corps International, NYFCJ, NYSFBC, US Bands, Musical Arts Conference, Cavalcade of Bands, CWEA, TRWEA, Ontario Drum Corps Association, SWFCGC, NESBA, and the New York State Percussion Circuit.  Ron is also an Associate Member of the World Drum Corps Hall of Fame and the International Trumpet Guild.

Dr. Abate’ is a member of Psi Chi, the International Honor Society of Psychology graduates.  He has his BS in Human Services Management and MS & Doctorate in Psychological Studies.  A psychotherapist, behavioral consultant and crisis intervention specialist professionally for many years in New York, he is a therapist within the Allegheny Health Network, Pittsburgh PA and is a Consultant for Autonomy Life Consulting in North Huntingdon, PA.

In the local community, Ron has been Vice President of the board of directors for the Stevens-Swan Humane Society in Utica, NY (where he lived for 26 years). He served as a committee member for the National Distance Running Hall of Fame and with the Boilermaker 15K Road Race Committee in Upstate New York.  Dr. Abate’ is active in animal cruelty prevention and advocates for victims of domestic violence with pro-bono counseling. He resides in the Pittsburgh area with his 5 year old, Samoyed, Chloe Mae.