Behind the Baton

Ryan Runyan is the director of 5-12 bands at IKM-Manning High School in Manning, IA. A graduate of Simpson College in Indianola, IA, Ryan has 14 years of experience teaching ensembles such as marching, jazz, concert, and pep bands, as well as color guard and speech. Ryan has taught entirely in rural Iowa schools, teaching five years at West Marshall High School in State Center, IA, in addition to...

Matt Treto is a Kansas-based music educator and percussionist from Augusta, Kansas. Since Fall 2025, he has served as the 5th–12th grade Band Director for Haven Public Schools in Haven, Kansas, where he teaches everything from beginning 5th grade band to high school concert band, guitar, and an emerging jazz ensemble. A graduate of Friends University and Butler Community College, Matt brings a stu...

Ryan Partin just completed his 15th year of teaching and is the Director of Bands at Garden City High School in Garden City, KS. He oversees the marching band, 3 concert ensembles, and 3 jazz bands. His previous assignment was teaching 5-12 band in Ulysses, KS.  Ryan was a nominee for Kansas Teacher of the Year in 2017 and was the recipient of the Outstanding Young Bandmaster award, presented by P...

A graduate of South Portland High School, Kyle Smith has been the Band Westbrook High School in Westbrook, Maine since 2006. Prior to his appointment at Westbrook High School he was the Band Director at Biddeford High School. The Westbrook Music Department has received numerous awards and acknowledgments for the outstanding musicianship that the musicians show. Recent honors include performances b...

Dr. Adam J. Gumble is the Director of Athletic Bands at West Chester University. Dr. Gumble’s primary responsibilities include directing the 324-member “INCOMPARABLE” Golden Rams Marching Band, “Sixth Man” Basketball Band, and WCU Concert Band. Since his arrival at West Chester University, the WCU Marching Band has performed in featured exhibition at the Bands of America Grand National Championshi...

Dr. Frank Pérez serves as Director of Instrumental Music at Gloria Willis Middle School in Kansas City, KS. He formerly served as Director of Bands and Associate Professor of Music at Baker University, where he conducted the Symphonic Winds, Jazz Ensemble, Pep Band, taught low brass and music education courses. Dr. Pérez has conducted honor bands throughout Midwest and presented clinics and worksh...

Chris DeVona is the Assistant Director of Bands at James Madison University, where he conducts the Symphonic Band, directs the basketball Pep Band, and works with the Marching Royal Dukes. In addition to his ensemble responsibilities, Chris also teaches conducting and marching band procedures courses. Prior to joining the band team at JMU, Chris was on faculty at Eastern University (PA), and he ta...

Micah Bolton is the Director of Bands at Goddard High School, currently in his third year, where he works with students across intermediate, middle school, and high school levels. An active percussionist, educator, and conductor, he is highly sought after as a private instructor and percussion coach for schools, camps, and honor bands. He also maintains an active performing schedule as a member of...

If you leave your growth to randomness, you’ll always live in the land of mediocrity. ~Brendon Burchard

Good decision-making comes down to two things: 1. Knowing how to get what you want 2. Knowing what’s worth wanting ~Shane Parrish in “Clear Thinking”

If you have a “to-do” list, do you also have a “stop doing” list? ~ Jim Collins in “Good to Great”

We waste time and energy stewing and stressing over the past instead of moving forward in hope. ~Ryan Leak

People do not decide their futures, they decide their habits and their habits decide their futures. ~Frederick M. Alexander

Bigger isn’t better. Better is better. ~Mike Goldman

Don't match the energy. Set the standard. ~Ryan Leak   Check out Ryan's podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-ryan-leak-podcast/id1523090326?i=1000704276203

1. Show up on time. 2. Know the music. 3. Have an idea to share. ~adapted from Tom Hanks

The way we do one thing is how we do everything. ~Dr. Tim Laurzenhiser

Dr. Brad Persinger is the Director of Bands for the Decatur Community Schools in Oberlin, Kansas. He has taught in Kansas, Colorado, and Montana and in the fall of 2025 he will begin his 32nd year of teaching. In 2012, Brad was recognized as the Montana VFW Teacher of the Year and also received the Montana VFW Citizenship Education Award. In 2013, he was recognized as the VFW District 5 Teacher of...

"Excellence is the culmination of thousands of details executed perfectly.”  ~Will Guidara

Ethan Wagoner just completed his 10th year of teaching and serves as the Director of Bands at Derby Middle School, as well as an assistant band director at Derby High School in Derby, Kansas.  In 2023, Ethan was selected as the Derby Public Schools secondary nominee for Kansas Teacher of the Year. He also was nominated and featured in School Band and Orchestra + Magazine as the Kansas representati...

The success of my day is based on the seeds that I sow, not the harvest that I reap. ~John C. Maxwell

Jordan Northerns is the Director of Bands at Circle Middle School and Circle High School in Towanda, Kansas. He just completed his 19th year in education and was recently recognized as Secondary Teacher of the Year for the Circle Public Schools.   Connect with Jordan Northerns Email jnortherns@usd375.org  

Focus on excellence, not comparison.

The ones doing the thinking are the ones doing the learning. ~Annika Stucky

Unclear expectations lead to unexpected results.