Stephen Pickard  

Stephen Pickard is entering his 10^th year as the band director at Governor John R. Rogers High School and Dessie Evans Elementary School in Puyallup, Washington. As a conductor and music educator, Stephen strives to provide memorable musical experiences for his students, offering a wide array of musical choices and opportunities through concert bands, percussion ensembles, and jazz bands. In the Puyallup School District, Stephen has served on multiple arts-related teams, including an Equity in Arts team that strives to reimagine the traditional music programs as well as creating new opportunities for all students to be involved in the Arts.

Stephen is a sought-after clinician, serving students through band festivals, competitions, various solo and ensemble contests, and more throughout the state of Washington. He has also presented several times at the Washington Music Educators Association and served in the Valley Region Music Educators Association as President and Band Curriculum Officer. Before becoming chair for the Band Council, Stephen served as the Northwest Representative for two terms.

As a performer, Stephen is a member of the Tacoma Concert Band, Northwest Wind Symphony, the Jazz Police, and an on-call member of the Yakima Symphony Orchestra and ensembles in the Greater Seattle Area. Stephen holds a bachelor’s and master’s degrees were obtained through Central Washington University, focused on conducting and instrumental music education, and has taught multiple concert band levels, jazz, percussion, orchestra, and beginning band. He and his wife Meghan reside in Puyallup, Washington with their two children, Dawson and Molly. (2023)