Concert Band Director

Jeff Chariker has led the Ron Phillips New Horizon’s Concert Band since 2018 when he accepted the baton from the founder of the band, Ron Phillips. In addition, he currently serves as the Associate Pastor of Music and Media at Palm West Community Church in Sun City West, AZ.

Jeff received his B.S. degree in Music Education from Grand Canyon University in 1990 where he sat principal horn in the Wind Ensemble for four years and was a tenor section leader in the university’s choral groups. Following graduation, he taught choral and instrumental music in the public school system. Jeff also spent six years as a professional musician in the Valley gigging as an accompanist for all-state choral events and local high school groups, maintained a private piano studio, served as a choral and instrumental clinician, and co-wrote/performed an original show funded by the Arizona Commission on the Arts.

Jeff lives in Peoria with his wife Samantha (a public school fine arts administrator) and have adult twin sons. Jeff is an avid woodworker in his free time and generally loves to create using his hands.

Jazz Band Director

Ryan Pratt is a freelance trombonist, conductor, and music educator in the Phoenix Metro Area. An alumnus of Northern Arizona University, Arizona State University, and the Chandler Unified School District, he has been studying and performing music in Arizona since 2008.

Ryan began his teaching career in 2021 with the Sandra Day O’Connor Marching band as Brass Caption Head. Since then, he has served similar roles at Perry High School, Dobson High School, and McClintock High School. From 2021-2024, Ryan worked as a private brass instructor at Desert Ridge Music Academy. In 2024, he started his own private lessons studio called “Desert Bones Trombone Studio” and began working as the Director of the Ron Phillips New Horizons Jazz Band.

An avid performer, Ryan plays often with local ensembles such as the Tempe Winds, Salt River Brass, and Phoenix Brass Collective. He has had the privilege of sharing the stage with world class musicians such as Wayne Bergeron, Nick Finzer, Lucas Pino, and Joe Burgstaller.