Biography

Ben Ruiz won his position as a horn player with Pershing’s Own Concert Band in October of 2023, and officially arrived at the band in August 2024 following the completion of his studies at North Texas. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from the University of North Texas, where he gained experience playing in the school’s premier ensembles such as the North Texas Wind Symphony and North Texas Symphony Orchestra. Ben also played in a variety of other ensembles during his studies, including studio orchestra, a small wind ensemble of 13 winds, a harmoniemusik ensemble, brass and woodwind quintet, an award winning horn quartet, large horn ensemble, and jazz band/orchestra.
During his studies, Ben maintained an active playing and teaching career. He currently holds the position of Assistant Principal horn with The Dallas Winds, has performed with The Lone Star Wind Orchestra, served as principal horn of the Flower Mound Symphony Orchestra, and was also a top call musician for various freelance jobs in the Dallas area such as the NiER Videogame Orchestra, pop orchestras, as well as dozens of church orchestras and chamber groups.
Ben had a large private studio of horn students and taught masterclasses at several schools, many earning All-Region accomplishments and some achieving All-State status. Ben also taught marching band as a brass and visual tech at his alma mater, Marcus High School for 3 years, culminating in 2023 with the band earning a historic best brass in the state and a silver overall medal.
Ben is an alumni and fan of Drum and Bugle Corps. He marched mellophone with Carolina Crown in 2021, 2022, and 2023, and was the featured french horn soloist in their 2023 field production “The Roundtable: Echoes of Camelot” which won the “Jim Ott” award for best brass.
Ben credits much of his success as a musician to his former high school and middle school band directors, Amanda Drinkwater, Jeffrey Jones, and Alan Hanna for providing an excellent public education experience. He also credits much of his brass pedagogy knowledge and skill to all of the educators at Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps.
Ben was also fortunate to have great horn teachers in the DFW area, with principal teachers being David Lesser throughout high school and Stacie Mickens throughout college.
Outside of music, Ben enjoys spending time with his friends and family, watching TV, trying and cooking new foods, and playing pickleball.