Staff

Director of Bands: Rickey Badua

Rickey H. Badua is in his fourth year as Director of Bands at Peninsula High School in Gig Harbor, WA. In 2006, he received his Bachelor of Music in Music Education and was awarded a “Teaching Fellowship” to complete a Master of Arts in Teaching degree from the University of Puget Sound in 2007. Mr. Badua is a sought after festival adjudicator, guest conductor and marching clinician, including engagements with Stadium High School, Shelton High School, Ballard High School, Auburn Riverside High School, Kamehameha High School, and Cupertino High School.

Mr. Badua has successfully raised the standard of excellence at Peninsula High School by building a comprehensive band program which includes a Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Jazz Band, Percussion Ensemble, Marching Band, Color Guard and Winter Guard. Students are actively involved in the WMEA All-State honor groups, Pacific Lutheran University honor band, Tacoma Youth Symphony, Puget Sound Youth Wind Ensemble and the WMEA regional/state solo & ensemble contest.

During his tenure, the program has seen tremendous growth in excellence and enrollment over the years. Each ensemble has consistently received “Superior” ratings at all festival and contests in the region. In May 2010, the Jazz Band hosted and performed a benefit concert with the renowned LA jazz trumpeter, Wayne Bergeron, and raised nearly $4,000 for the program. In July 2010, the Marching Band travelled to Washington D.C. on a special invitation to participate in the National Independence Day parade being the only band to represent the state of Washington. Last spring, the Symphonic Band commissioned local composer and theory professor at the University of Puget Sound, Dr. Robert Hutchinson, in a world-premiere of “The Forest Nocturnal Triptych” at their spring concert performance. Most recently, the Symphonic Band has been honored in being selected out of 110 groups to perform at the 2011 MENC-Northwest Conference in Bellevue, WA.

Mr. Badua is an avid trombonist and has performed with the Puget Sound Brass Quintet, Tacoma Community College Band, Sounds of Brass Ensemble, South Sound Symphonic Band and the Tacoma Concert Band.

Mr. Badua presently holds memberships in the following organizations: Music Educators National Conference, Washington Music Educators Association, and the Commencement Bay Region Music Educators Association.

Beyond his own teaching responsibilities as Director of Bands at Peninsula High School, Mr. Badua was appointed in 2008 as the chair of the arts department and district music coordinator. He currently serves as the President of the Commencement Bay Region Music Educators Association, and is on the Board of Directors for not only the Peninsula Band Booster Club, but also as the Co-President of the Puget Sound Youth Wind Ensemble where he assisted in its growth of the organization in commencing the “Symphonic Band.”

Percussion Instructor: Ryan McLain

Ryan McLain is a professional musician and owner of Mclain Music in Gig Harbor. He started his music education as a percussionist in elementary school band. He continued to play percussion through junior high and high school, performing in marching band, jazz band, concert band, and various rock bands. He has competed in a number of Central and Southern California percussion ensemble competitions. In 1989 he marched snare for the Anaheim Kingsmen. He continued his education studying percussion and drumset performance at Musician’s Institute in Hollywood. He is currently a private drum instructor and continues to be active in writing and performing original music. Ryan also owns a local music shop. The Peninsula Band recommends McLain Music for all your music needs in the Gig Harbor area!