He serves as Co-Chair of the WSU Storytelling Festival and Director of the WSU/Snow Music Licensure Program. Bates holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Music Education from The University of Arizona, a Master of Music in Performance from Brigham Young University, and a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Brigham Young University. Bates teaches EDUC 3430/MED 6430 Creative Processes, EDUC 4345 Elementary Integrated Arts Methods, EDUC 4950 Integrated Secondary Student Teaching Seminar, and MED 6380 Values Education at Weber State University.