In addition to serving on the faculty of The University of Alabama School of Music as trumpet professor, Dr. Yates is currently Principal Trumpet of the Tuscaloosa Symphony Orchestra, First Trumpet in The University of Alabama Faculty Brass Quintet, and an in-demand soloist and clinician throughout the southeast. He performs regularly at The University of Alabama in recital, as a featured soloist, and as a member of these and other ensembles.

Before his appointment as trumpet professor at The University of Alabama, Dr. Yates maintained a busy performance career in Chicago, Illinois and was heard throughout the Chicago metropolitan area in a wide variety of venues. In Chicago, Eric served as Principal Trumpet of the Northbrook Symphony Orchestra in Northbrook, Illinois and the Chicago Brass Choir, a large brass ensemble that has been featured in performance at the conference of the International Trumpet Guild. He was also a member of the Lakeside Brass of Chicago, a brass quintet with extensive television and radio exposure in Chicago, and the Cathedral Brass Quintet, which in 2004 released a studio recording of new and standard literature for brass and voice. Eric also held the position of Principal Solo Cornet with the Prairie Brass Band in Arlington Heights, Illinois. Eric has performed with numerous professional orchestras including the Nashville Symphony Orchestra, the South Bend Symphony, the Illinois Symphony, the Elmhurst Symphony, and the Northwest Indiana Symphony. Since relocating to Alabama in 2007, he has also performed with the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra and the Alabama Symphony Orchestra.

Solo performance is a central part of Dr. Yates' musical career. He presents solo trumpet recitals and regularly performs as a featured soloist. He has been featured recently as a guest soloist with The Alabama Wind Ensemble, the Chicago Brass Choir, the Northwestern Philharmonia Orchestra, and the Independence High School Wind Ensemble in Franklin, Tennessee. Dr. Yates also presents period performances using historic natural trumpets.