Dr. Schaffer holds the Bachelor of Music Education degree from Indiana University, where his teachers included Philip Farkas and Michael Hatfield, a Master of Music in horn performance (Illinois State) and a Doctor of Musical Arts Degree (UNC-Greensboro). He has taught in the public schools in both Virginia and Illinois. His orchestral credits include the Peoria Symphony (IL), the National Opera Company, and resident orchestras for such festivals as the 1989 Bodensee Festival in Friedrichshafen, W. Germany, and the Roque Cordero Festival Orchestra in Normal Illinois. An active chamber music performer, his credits include the Quintet Sine Nomine (IL), Cornocopia (NC), and the Gate City Brass (NC). Dr. Schaffer performs recitals regularly and has been featured as a soloist at several chamber music festivals. Originally from the Washington D.C. area, Dr. Schaffer is now a resident of Auburn, and performs regularly with the Auburn Brass Quintet and the La Grange (GA) Symphony.

Dr. Schaffer's teaching responsibilities include the horn studio, brass ensemble, and sophomore music theory and skills.