DeGraffenreid was previously a faculty member and administrator at California State University, Fresno. He served as Western Division President of MENC: The National Association for Music Education (2004-2006) and has served in music and arts education leadership in California since the mid-1980s.

DeGraffenreid is an active researcher examining topics ranging from music instruction correlated to student academic achievement to effective music teacher preparation curricula. George has numerous presentations and articles nationally and internationally. He is an author for Music! Its Role and Importance in Our Lives (2006), Glencoe McGraw-Hill; and Benchmarks In Action: A Guide To Standards-Based Assessment In Music (2003), MENC.

George also taught elementary through high school instrumental and vocal music in Colorado and California. He has a Ph.D. in music education from the University of Washington, a M.A. in music performance and education from California State University, Los Angeles and a B.M.E. from the University of Colorado, Boulder.

Courses normally taught by DeGraffenreid are in music education and graduate research, and include: MUS 700 Introduction to Graduate Study, MUS 620 Brass Methods, and student teacher supervision.