Frédéric Gauthier began his musical studies at the music school of Saint-Vallier and Montceau-les-mines in Saône-et-Loire, France. His route continued in 1992 at the academy of Dijon where he studied with Stanislas Bujok and Pierre-François Resta. He was awarded a diploma in percussion, sight-reading and chamber music. Afterwards he joined the class of Frédéric Macarez's at the CNR-CSP of Paris where he obtained a first prize of percussion in 1998, then a first prize of perfection and in preparation for orchestra. At the same time, his meeting with Eric Sammut showed him how fascinating the advantage for the marimba was. Studying in this class at the CNR-CSP of Paris, he obtained in 2002, a first prize of marimba. 

 In 2002, he integrated the Orchestra-Band of the Musique de l’Air de Paris and was appointed in 2005 by Lieutenant-colonel Claude Kesmaecker at the post of percussionist in the wind orchestra. He regularly played as additional musician with the Orchestre de Paris, Orchestre Colonne, Orchestre de l’Opera de Rouen and, the Orchestre de Picardie. He also worked with Klaus Tresselt and Percussion Ensemble Stuttgart, Germany, and studied the marimba with Leigh Howard Stevens in the United States.

Frédéric Gauthier is member of the Keyboard Committee of Percussive Arts Society and is a vice-president of the "Days of the Percussion" festival in Paris.

Fascinating education, he enjoyed his passion in the Conservatory of Rosny-sous-bois and in the Conservatory of Pavillons-sous-bois.