Director of Music

Captain Ryan W. Baker, CD, Mus Bac

Capt Ryan Baker graduated from the University of Toronto with a degree in Trumpet Performance and The University of Melbourne, Australia with a Diploma in Education. He has performed with such groups as The National Academy Orchestra, as well as the Toronto Symphony Orchestra with Bobby McFerrin and the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra, both as a youth performer. He has played in many musicals throughout Southern Ontario including the Canadian performances of the Broadway touring show "Hello Dolly" with Sally Struthers. Capt Baker was a concerto competition winner at the University of Toronto and was featured trumpet soloist with the University of Brock Wind Ensemble. At age 17, he performed with the United States National Youth Orchestra at Carnegie Hall under the direction of Lukas Foss.

Capt Baker joined the RHLI Band at age 16, officially joining the Forces in 2001. He reached the Rank of Sergeant holding the roles of Bandmaster and Band Sergeant Major until his commission in 2014 to the Rank of Lieutenant. Lt Baker is the founder of the RHLI Brass Quintet who performed for HRH Duke of Edinburgh in 2010. He has also performed for HM Queen Elizabeth II on her last three visits as well as HRH the Prince of Wales and HRH Prince Edward. In 2002 the RHLI Band travelled to England and France to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of Dieppe as well as Sounded Retreat at the Royal Chelsea Hospital in London, England. Capt Baker has received the Canadian Declaration Medal, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal and is the fourteenth Director of Music of The Royal Hamilton Light Infantry Band.

Capt Baker is the Head of Music at Sherwood Secondary in Hamilton, is a faculty member with the National Music Camp of Canada and has been on faculty with the Canadian Music Conservatory as well as a Secondary Music Teacher Facilitator with the Ontario Educational Leadership Centre (OELC).