Our Directors
Ryan San Diego
Executive 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.
Breanna Vazquez
Program Director
Breanna is a professional classical flutist from Chicago, IL, holding a Bachelor of Music degree from DePaul University. She has studied under and performed for top flutists like Demaree McGill, Stefan Hoskuldsson, Alyce Johnson and Mark Sparks. Breanna has performed in major cities throughout the United States, such as Chicago, Ann Arbor, St. Louis and Phoenix.
Her playing has been described as “possessing deep musical intellect” and showcases “outstanding technical ability and musicality”. Breanna has competed and placed at high-level competitions including Fischoff National Chamber Competition, DePaul University’s Concerto Competition (honorable mention), and most recently, she took 1st place at Arizona Flute Society’s Festival and Competition. Outside of performing, Breanna has also cultivated flute studios for various programs in several states. These programs have gone on to receive state recognition with ratings of Excellence and Superior with Distinction. Students that have studied under Breanna have gone on to audition and place in All-State groups.
Currently, Breanna holds the position of 3rd flute in Millennial Choirs and Orchestras Phoenix division. This fall, she will also be performing with the Scottsdale Philharmonic as principal flute and piccolo.