Name, hometown, corps, role: My name is Ryan Masterson (my friends call me R Mast), I grew up in Spokane, Wash. I'm marching tenors with the Seattle Cascades, and I'm the percussion captain.

Ryan Masterson
Where do you go to school, and what extracurricular activities are you involved with there? I attend Olympic College in Bremerton, Wash. I used to play baseball for the school, but chose to give it up so that I could focus on drum corps. Give us your full drum corps/marching music background, and how each position prepared you for the leadership role you're in this summer. I began my marching career by marching the fifth bass at Central Valley High School in Spokane, Wash. My drum instructor was the center snare for the then-Division III Seattle Cascades. He and another instructor persuaded me to audition for the corps. I went to auditions and came back more excited than I had ever been at that time! I HAD to march. That summer in 2000, I marched with the Cascades for my very first time, playing fifth bass. I didn't march in 2001, but I returned in 2002 to play tenors. In 2003 I was the tenor line section leader, and this season I will be the leader of the percussion section. The last good book I read: "The Da Vinci Code" by Dan Brown The last great film I saw: "The Godfather" Three CDs I'd want on a deserted island: Blink 182, Disturbed, Andrea Bocelli My favorite TV show: "South Park" Favorite performers: Professional athletes are great performers. How do you "blow off steam?" I rarely get angry enough to require an activity to calm me down, but when I do I drum or exercise. What is your role in the corps this summer? On the field, my role is no different any other member of the corps. Off the field, I make sure that everybody has their business taken care of. Why I march with the corps I am in: The Cascades are my family. I love the staff, and the fellas I drum with are awesome. Was it always your goal to be in a leadership role? No. Last year I was kind of thrown into the spot, but I really enjoyed the responsibility. How will you go about balancing the roles of leader and corpsmate? I'm always a corpsmate. However, I'm here to help with conflicts and motivation. What has been your formative drum corps moment? In 2002, the Cascades went to watch the Division II & III finals. I sat down next to my instructor and he asked me how I was enjoying the tour. I told him that I could go another six months of touring, and wasn't the least bit burned out. I was having so much fun. However, I was planning to quit drumming and focus on college baseball after the '02 season. When my instructor asked me how I was enjoying the tour, I was forced to reflect on the current season, and my past marching experiences. I realized that I was going to be missing out on a lot. After tour ended I did move away and began the first fall college baseball season. When the fall season was over, I couldn't stop thinking of everything I'd be missing if I never marched again. I left the baseball team to march.If it weren't for my instructor asking me that question, and for the guys I marched with that year, I wouldn't be marching now. Best drum corps show ever: Way too many to decide on just one. I dig lots of SCV and BD. What are you most looking forward to about the summer? I get to drum, perform and tour the country all summer long. What's not to look foward to? Best thing about being a drum corps leader: I have the privilege of getting up and counting heads at every ... single ... rest stop! Worst thing about being a drum corps leader: Sometimes, you have to tell it like it is, no matter who it might hurt. During tour, the best part of the day is: When I'm drumming During tour, the worst part of the day is: When I'm not drumming Favorite drum corps personality and why: I love every person who has marched in a line with me, and every person who has taught me how to be a better drummer. What do you want to be when your drum corps career is over? I want to continue performing, traveling and learning as much as I can.