Ben is a native of Ankeny, Iowa. Inspired by the excellent teaching he experienced while in the Blue Devils 'A' corps, Ben aspired to replicate that excellence, and to create a phenomenal teaching persona of his own. After graduating with a degree in Music Education from Iowa State University, he moved to California to work with the Blue Devils ‘B’ corps. A few years later he received the opportunity to help out with Blue Devils ‘C’ Corps. He then served as Brass Caption Head for 9 years, while helping with the B corps once in a while. His goal is always to challenge what anyone thinks is possible for students to do on a marching field. Ben LOVES training students to pursue excellence in musical and marching performance.

Ben lives in San Francisco with his husband Patrick and dog Victor. He works as a full-time elementary band and orchestra teacher for Hayward Schools in Hayward, California, and part time music arranger for bay area marching bands.