You won't remember everyone in your math class, but you'll remember every member of your band program.
Music leaves an imprint on you that will last the rest of your life.
Ryan Demkovich is the newly appointed Director of Bands at Pearland High School in Pearland, Texas. Most recently, Ryan spent five years as Director of Bands at Stephen F. Austin High School in Fort Bend ISD. In his time at SFA, the band was a consistent Bands of America Regional and Super Regional Finalist and consistently qualified for the UIL State Marching Band Contest. He was also fortunate enough direct the SFA Symphony Orchestra at the 2018 Midwest Band and OrchestrClinic and conduct the SFA Percussion Ensemble at the 2021 Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic.
Ryan is originally from Jenison, Michigan and received his bachelor’s degree in music education from Western Michigan University. He moved to Houston in 2007 to attend the University of Houston where he received a Master’s Degree in Conducting and had the privilege to study under David Bertman, Eddie Green, John Benzer, and Tom Bennett.
Ryan marched in the Glassmen Drum and Bugle Corps in 2003 and was a 2-time World Champion when he marched with the Cavaliers from 2004-2006. His drum corps experience continued with the Cavaliers Brass Staff from 2007-2009 and then he spent the last 13 years as a visual instructor at the Santa Clara Vanguard. Ryan is also on the faculty of SASI - The Leadership People and is an active adjudicator for Bands of America and UIL. Ryan currently resides in Houston, Texas with his fiancé Cyndi and his dog Biscuit. He spends his free time as a season ticket holder for the Houston Rockets, doing Crossfit, and enjoying Houston’s amazing culinary scene.
Philip Aaron Gantt is a native of Wagener, SC. He has seventeen years teaching experience. For the last four years he has been the director of bands at Lexington high school. Prior to his tenure at Lexington Mr. Gantt was an Associate Director at Rouse High School (Leander, TX) from 2015-2018, Director of Bands at Spartanburg High School (Spartanburg, SC) 2009-2015, and an Associate Director at Spartanburg High School from 2005-2009. He received his Masters of Music in Education from the University of South Carolina in 2005 and Bachelor’s of Music in Education from Furman University in 2003. His primary instrument is the Saxophone and his teachers have included Dr. Cliff Leaman, Dr. Matt Olson, and Sam Skelton. His ensembles have received consistent superior ratings at SCBDA and UIL marching and concert events. In addition to his band director duties Mr. Gantt is active in the WGI and DCI communities. Currently he is part of the color guard staff for the Boston Crusaders. When he is not busy doing band Mr. Gantt likes to lay down and hang out with his cats, Alfredo, Lana, and Jezebel.
The feeling when you walk off the field after leaving everything on it, is the moment you realize you are capable of things bigger than yourself.
Jordan Barker is currently an Associate Band Director at Pearland High School in Pearland, Texas. He is fortunate to direct the Concert Band and Prep Band, who have both achieved UIL Sweepstakes.
Originally from Fort Worth, Texas, Jordan graduated Cum Laude from the University of Houston with a bachelor’s degree in music education where he studied with David Bertman, Cory Meals, Cameron Kubos, and trumpet with Mark Hughes. While at UH, he performed with the Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band under David Bertman, and with the Spirit of Houston Marching Band as a performer and arranger.
Mr. Barker was a member of the Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps, where he was in the trumpet section from 2016-2018. He has recently served on the Brass Staff, and on the Design Team as a Production Assistant. Outside of teaching, he is also an active arranger/composer for groups across the country. Mr. Barker lives in Pearland with his rescue dog, Lucy. When he is not doing band, he enjoys drinking Diet Coke, taking walks with his dog, and partaking in the Houston food scene.
Jordan Barker
Associate Band Director
Mike Royer is a native of Houston, Texas with over 15 years of teaching and performing experience. Previously, he has been the Director of Percussion at Klein Oak High School in Klein, TX. He received a Masters of Music in Percussion Performance from the University of Arizona in 2016 and a Bachelor’s in Music Education from McNeese State University in 2014. During his time at McNeese, Mike was the percussion instructor at Sam Houston, Sulphur, and A. M. Barbe High School in the Lake Charles area and in 2013, worked as an undergraduate assistant with The Pride of McNeese Marching Band. Royer was also a member of the Lake Charles Symphony and Lake Charles Civic Ballet from 2009-2014. From 2008-2010, he performed with the Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps and received the Rookie of the Year award in 2008. From 2011-2012, Royer was a member of the Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps, achieving the Fred Sanford award for high percussion in 2011. Royer was also a member of the percussion staff at Legends Drum and Bugle corps from Kalamazoo, MI from 2014-2019 achieving the High Percussion award in 2019.
Recently Mike has been a Guest Artist with Cedar Creek Summer Drumming, McNeese State Percussion Camp, Yamaha Sounds of Summer, Imperio Marching from Medellin, Columbia and Drum Corps International. Royer also serves as the drum captain for the Houston Texans Deep Steel Thunder Drumline and is a proud performing artist for the D’addario corporation.
Mike currently resides in Downtown Houston with his wife Ashleigh and Great Dane Drew. He spends his free time as an avid Houston sports fan, running Buffalo Bayou and Kitesurfing along the Texas coast.
Michael Royer
Percussion Director
royerm@pearlandisd.org
Jacoby Taylor’s marching arts career started at Klein Collins high school in Spring, TX. Following graduation, Taylor continued to develop his education and pursue his passion for the activity by performing with various independent groups. He also spent four summers with the Madison Scouts, three of them as the Captain of the Color Guard.
Jacoby has worked with various programs throughout the state of Texas as a director, designer, choreographer and clinician. He is the founder and director of Undaunted, an independent open color guard based in Houston. He also serves as the Movement Coordinator for the Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps.