Ernest Pontiere BIO
Ernest Pontiere graduated Montour High School in 1971. He received his bachelor’s degree in music education with a concentration in voice and trombone from the Edinboro University in 1975. He also studied trombone under the world-renowned Phil Wilson and the late Dr. Donald Reinhardt while attending Berklee College of Music in Boston Massachusetts. He attended Duquesne University from 1992-1997, working on a master’s degree in education/counseling.
Ernie has enjoyed an active career as a singer, trombonist, conductor, and educator. Throughout 1978 to 1981, Ernie was one of the lead singers in the Four Coins, touring extensively throughout the United States and Canada. From 1981 to 1985, he was lead singer, percussionist and keyboardist for Pittsburgh’s top dance band, Gigolo. He then moved to the West Coast, where he performed as the trombonist for the Wayne Newton Orchestra in 1987. In late 1987, he became one of the three lead singers of the nationally know recording artists The Lettermen and toured with them for three years.
In 1990, Ernie decided to end touring and begin a teaching career. At the same time, he took the job of lead singer and trombonist in Vito DiSalvo’s Pittsburgh-based Italian/American band We Three. He also was employed at the North Allegheny School District where he directed three different choral ensembles and taught music theory to two hundred students per day in grades eleven and twelve. Ernie was also the artistic director and musical conductor for the North Allegheny Spring Musicals. He has also been the lead singer for numerous commercials and jingles in Pittsburgh, including “Star of the Show” for Pittsburgh Steelers retired quarterback Terry Bradshaw and his personal favorite, “You Gotta Believe,” for the 1990 and 1991 Pittsburgh Pirates. Ernie is married to Lisa Pontiere, and together they have two daughters Alexa and Elizabeth.
Ernie has enjoyed an active career as a singer, trombonist, conductor, and educator. Throughout 1978 to 1981, Ernie was one of the lead singers in the Four Coins, touring extensively throughout the United States and Canada. From 1981 to 1985, he was lead singer, percussionist and keyboardist for Pittsburgh’s top dance band, Gigolo. He then moved to the West Coast, where he performed as the trombonist for the Wayne Newton Orchestra in 1987. In late 1987, he became one of the three lead singers of the nationally know recording artists The Lettermen and toured with them for three years.
In 1990, Ernie decided to end touring and begin a teaching career. At the same time, he took the job of lead singer and trombonist in Vito DiSalvo’s Pittsburgh-based Italian/American band We Three. He also was employed at the North Allegheny School District where he directed three different choral ensembles and taught music theory to two hundred students per day in grades eleven and twelve. Ernie was also the artistic director and musical conductor for the North Allegheny Spring Musicals. He has also been the lead singer for numerous commercials and jingles in Pittsburgh, including “Star of the Show” for Pittsburgh Steelers retired quarterback Terry Bradshaw and his personal favorite, “You Gotta Believe,” for the 1990 and 1991 Pittsburgh Pirates. Ernie is married to Lisa Pontiere, and together they have two daughters Alexa and Elizabeth.