Ryan Heath has been a music educator for sixteen years, and has spent the last ten at Keller High School in Keller, Texas, where he serves as the Director of Bands.  Additionally, he works with the concert ensembles at Keller Middle School and Indian Springs Middle School.  Prior to his appointment at Keller, Ryan taught at Dawson High School in Pearland, and Oak Ridge High School in Conroe.

Ryan grew up in Duncanville, Texas, and is an alumnus of the Duncanville High School Band Program.  He earned a Bachelor of Music degree from University of Houston, studying conducting and education with David Bertman, Tom Bennett, John Benzer, and Eddie Green, and horn with Roger Kaza of the Houston Symphony. During his time at U of H he performed in all of the school’s major ensembles, including four years with the Grammy-nominated Moores School Wind Ensemble.  He served as drum major for The “Spirit of Houston'' Cougar Marching Band for three seasons and was the recipient of the Kevin Borgfelt Leadership Award. 

During his time at Dawson, the group was a two-time TMEA Honor Band finalist, as well as a finalist at the 2011 and 2013 UIL 4A State Marching Band Contest.  Since joining the staff at Keller High, the marching band has been a finalist at the 2014, 2016, 2018, 2021, and 2022 UIL 6A State Marching Band Contests and the 2015 Bands of America Grand National Championships.  In 2015, the John Philip Sousa Foundation selected Keller to be the 76th band worldwide to receive the prestigious Sudler Shield.  The band was also a participant in the 2018 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.  Concert ensembles under Ryan’s direction have received superior ratings at every competitive event attended.  During his first nine years at Keller, the KHS Symphonic Band was a six-time winner in the Citation of Excellence competition by the Foundation for Music Education, being recognized in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, and 2022.  They were the first high school ensemble to earn this distinction three years in a row, and have received this award more times than any other high school ensemble since its inception.

Ryan is an active clinician and adjudicator in both the concert and marching activities.  He has also been involved in the Drum Corps International community in roles from technician to caption head with several groups, including Guardians, Boston Crusaders, and The Cavaliers.  His professional affiliations include the Texas Music Educators Association, Phi Beta Mu International Honorary Bandmasters Fraternity, Texas Music Adjudicator’s Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, and Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity.   

Ryan is married to his high school sweetheart and former bassoonist, Dr. Corey L. Heath.  They live in Keller with their son, Owen and daughter, Emery.