Brandon Cain is the current Director of Bands at Bonney Lake High School. He joined the school’s elite team of musical educators in Summer of 2024, after Meredith Heinzmann invite him to guest conduct at the Spring Concert. 

Brandon began his musical journey with “band” at Kapowsin Elementary where he learned from Stan Westbrook, Frontier Middle School where he learned from Matthew Armstrong, and Graham-Kapowsin High School where he learned under the guidance of Paul Bain & Gianna DeBolt. The Graham-Kapowsin High School Eagle Band is home to one of the well-known Wind Bands of WA State, with invite appearances at WMEA/NAfME NW, MFA NW, and more.

In the collegiate realm, Brandon graduated from the University of Washington in 2024. Recognized for his commitment and dedication to many organizations while pursuing rigorous studies, he received the “International Undergraduate of the Year” award from Theta Delta Chi, membership in Phi Beta Kappa, and inclusion in the prestigious “Husky 100”. Brandon holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education, a Bachelor of Arts in Music, a minor in ELS (Education, Learning, & Society), and a Husky Leadership Certificate. While at UW, Brandon performed with the various concert bands (under the batons of Timothy Salzman, and Graduate Assistants Daniel Fischer, Shayna Stahl, Chris Mathakul, Corey Jahlas, Roger WuFu, Shaun Day, and David Stewart), including the Wind Ensemble & Symphonic Band. Brandon also performed in the Studio Jazz Ensemble (Marc Seales), and the Husky Marching Band (Brad McDavid). Brandon began his conducting methods under the expertise of Giselle Wyers, and finished his journey with Timothy Salzman. Brandon’s instrumental studies included being mentored on trumpet under the guidance of David Gordon—the principal trumpeter of the Seattle Symphony. Brandon conducted the UW Symphonic Band for a term, and was Staff Assistant for the Husky Marching Band. From 2018-2024, the Husky Marching Band participated in various bowl games & parades, including the 2018 PAC-12 Championship, 2019 Rose Bowl, 2019 Las Vegas Bowl, 2022 Alamo Bowl, 2023 PAC-12 Championship, 2023 Sugar Bowl (although they were all earnestly hoping for the Rose Bowl of course!!), and finally the 2024 CFP National Championship. 

Under the guidance and advising of Dr. Christopher Roberts & Dr. Anita Kumar, Brandon completed his high school practicum teaching experience at Lincoln High School with Zach MacIntyre & Vicky Greenbaum in the Seattle Public Schools; elementary practicum teaching experience at Assumption-St Bridget School elementary with Bryan Van Pelt; part-time student teaching at Dickinson Elementary in the Lake Washington School District under the mentorship of John Kelleher; and full-time student teaching at Mount Si High School & corresponding feeder middle schools in the Snoqualmie Valley School District under the mentorship of Robert Rutherford, William Leather, Danny Kolke, and Emily Hurd. At Mount Si High School, he assisted in bringing up to 300 music students to Disneyland (Band, Orchestra, and Choir), and co-taught the 200+ band program (4 wind bands, 3 jazz bands, percussion, musical pit orchestra, pep/marching, world drumming, and more!). The Mount Si Jazz Band is known as one of the best high school jazz band programs in the USA: having been selected as the closing band for Starbucks' Hot Java Cool Jazz multiple years in a row (including spring 2024 while he was there), accepted into the Essentially Ellington Jazz Festival multiple times, and even was selected to perform at the 2024 Western International Band Clinic, and the 2025 Midwest Clinic.

As an accomplished musician himself, Mr. Cain is an active performer in the South Sound Symphonic Band and is a member of the Washington Music Educators Association (WMEA)—a prominent state chapter of National Association for Music Education (NAfME). Throughout his musical career, Mr. Cain has performed in countries including Japan, China, Canada, the United States of America, and even prepared for a tour of Korea [canceled due to the COVID-19 Pandemic]—sharing the truth that music brings the world together…. being the one universal language!

In his free time, Brandon likes to stay active through the means of snowboarding and doing anything else that is considered ‘high-energy’ & outdoorsy. Mr. Cain enjoys adventuring with close friends & family, supporting his wife Robin, their son Kingston, and going on walks with their dog, Bruno Biscuit. Notably, Robin is currently a Band Director at Graham-Kapowsin High School (a 2025 NAfME NW Conference-Invite Band).

Mr. Cain is currently working towards a professional teaching certificate through the National Boards process; and in terms of graduate studies, he is planning on earning a Masters in Music Education through the American Band College.