John Pollard

Director

Senior Director of Education International Gemological Institute

John Pollard is Senior Director of Education for the International Gemological Institute, the world’s largest independent gemological organization. He is responsible for overseeing and expanding the institute’s courses and diploma programs, currently taught at 14 schools of gemology around the world, and designing customized curriculum and training for institute clients, including some of the world’s leading luxury brands. John is as an announcer and emcee coordinator for Bands Of America’s fall championships. He is the voice of the Texas State Marching Championships, Colorado State Marching Championships, MFA National Percussion Festival, and a continuing Yamaha Corporation of America consultant. From 1997-2005 John was Associate Director of Bands at L.D. Bell High School in Texas. A two-time winner of the district’s Education Foundation Award of Excellence, his groups were two-time Texas UIL State Marching Champions, PAS National Drumline Champions, Sudler Shield of Honor recipients and medaled over 25 times at BOA Regional, Super-Regional and Grand Nationals. John’s percussion ensembles performed at PASIC, Midwest and TMEA & TBA conventions. He is a former Music Coordinator for Yamaha’s Sounds Of Summer program, instructing MFA Summer Symposiums, National Festivals, Honor Bands and the inaugural BOA Tournament Of Roses Band. He chaired the UIL Percussion Music Committee, was TMEA All-State Music Selector, PASIC 2000 committee member and assisted with MTV’s production of Super Bowl XXXVIII’s halftime show. In 2005 John began his career as a professional gemologist. He has held management roles with companies in traditional and eCommerce sectors, educating industry professionals and consumers alike. A regular consultant for diamond producers, sellers, and grading laboratories, in the USA, Europe and Asia, he has presented educational seminars at JCK Las Vegas, the American Gem Society Conclave in Washington D.C., the Gemological Institute of America Alumni Association, and international trade conferences in Beijing and Shanghai, China.