Our Directors
Sean Hayden
Executive Director
Sean Hayden is a percussion educator, performer, and composer from Scottsdale, Arizona with 15 years of experience. Sean discovered his passion for the percussive arts studying under Christopher Holley at Hamilton High School where he performed with the marching band and percussion ensemble. Later, Sean continued his education as an inaugural member of Vision Percussion, marching snare drum from 2016 to 2018. It was here he sought instruction from one of his most prominent influences, Wardell King. He was additionally inspired by his private lesson instructor Anthony Olivares.
Currently Sean is entering his fifth year with LINEA percussion, having started as Battery Caption Head and working his way up to his current role of Executive Director. Formerly, Sean has also taught at Vista Grande High School (Casa Grande, Arizona), Shadow Mountain High School (Paradise Valley, Arizona), and McClintock High School (Tempe, Arizona). Sean is additionally a clinician across the Phoenix Metropolitan area, working with various marching arts programs. Aside from working with large ensembles, Sean maintains a small private lesson studio working with students from all across the valley.
Sean’s teaching philosophy revolves around inspiring students to be the best version of themselves, both musically and in every other aspect of their lives.
Ryan San Diego
Program Director
Ryan San Diego is an Arizona-based percussionist and music educator with over a decade of experience. Ryan began studying percussion at the age of 9 with percussionist Gary Branaman, and later under Bryan Hummel before moving to Des Moines, Iowa to attend Drake University under the instruction of Bob Meunier and Mark Grimm. Ryan has also sought educational mentorship from Dr. Kevin Donka in addition to many other percussionists and educators across the U.S. and abroad.
Ryan has played in a variety of ensembles, including percussion ensembles, wind ensembles, brass quartets, jazz band/combos, and other small ensembles. He has also performed with the Drake University Wind Symphony and was a part of their 2019 Album “Tribute”, in addition to the school’s percussion ensemble. He also has experience in marching percussion, with several seasons across all battery instruments as well as being a member of the 2018 WGI World Championship Finalists: Breakthrough Indoor Percussion.
Ryan is a very active and sought-after educator in the West Valley of Arizona. He currently serves as the Percussion Caption Head at Verrado High School, Program Director of LINEA Indoor Percussion, and Executive Director of Foreword Indoor Winds. Ryan has experience as both a caption head and instructor for several band and percussion programs. He is also an active guest clinician and has worked with many award-winning programs throughout the state. He maintains a Private Lessons Studio and focuses on the long-term growth of his students by teaching skills that grow them both in and outside of the band hall. Ryan also mentors young and upcoming instructors to help further Arizona music education as well as to grow the West Valley, which he has called home for most of his life.
Ryan is a proud endorser of Salyers/Encore Sticks & Mallets and is one of the first Arizonan members of the Salyers Percussion Education Team.
Jesse Milhoan
Staff Coordinator
Jesse Milhoan is an active percussion educator, performer, and composer located in Phoenix, Arizona. A graduate of Northern Arizona University with a B.M. in Instrumental Music Education, Jesse studied his primary instrument with Dr. Steven Hemphill from 2017-2021. Jesse is also currently finishing his M.S. in Curriculum and Instruction through Western Governors University.
Jesse’s educational history includes working with the Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps as co-caption head of audio engineering in 2024, joining the team as a staff member for their record breaking season in 2023. previously he worked in the same position with the Academy Drum and Bugle Corps in the 2022 season. Jesse currently holds positions as a front ensemble technician for Millennium High School (Goodyear, AZ) and battery caption head at Verrado High School (Buckeye, AZ) for both marching band and indoor percussion.
Jesse additionally serves as Staff Coordinator for LINEA Indoor Percussion, a WGI PIO competitor. He also previously held positions at Liberty High School (Peoria, AZ), North Peoria Indoor Percussion (Peoria, AZ), and with the Northern Arizona University Lumberjack Marching Band. Outside of the marching arts, he is a freelance private lessons instructor in all areas of percussion and full time Director of Bands at Western Sky Middle School and Verrado Middle School.
Jesse was a member of Vision Percussion during their 2022 season, helping the group qualify for finals at their WGI Championships debut. He has also performed with the Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra and Arizona Winds Concert Band. Jesse proudly endorses Salyers Percussion, Encore Percussion, and Zildjian Cymbals.