About Our Conductors

Erik Wieben: Co-Conductor

Erik is the Band Director at Sunset Ridge Middle School, where he inspires young musicians and fosters a love for music. Prior to this, he was the Music Director at Excelsior Academy in the Tooele Valley, where he developed a robust music program and nurtured the talents of numerous students.

Beyond his teaching responsibilities, Erik has been an active leader in the educational community, having served as Vice President of the Jordan Education Association. His dedication to advocacy and professional development within the field of education is well recognized.

In addition to his educational roles, Erik is a talented performer. He plays in the Offbeats Traditional Jazz Band, showcasing his versatility and love for jazz music. This engagement allows him to remain connected to his performance roots and continuously refine his craft.

Erik received his bachelor’s degree in Music Education from the University of Utah and is currently pursuing his master’s degree at Southern Utah University. He resides in South Jordan with his partner, Mitchell, where he continues to be an integral part of the local music and education communities.

Brandon Larsen: Co-Conductor

Brandon Larsen serves as the co-conductor of the West Jordan Community Band and holds the position of assistant principal at Elk Ridge Middle School in the Jordan School District. Before joining the Elk Ridge Middle School administrative team, he accumulated a wealth of experience, spending six years as the Director of Bands at Herriman High School, one year as the Director of Bands at Fremont High School, three years as the Director of Music at Grantsville High School, and a year at North Sevier High School as the Director of Performing Arts.

In addition to his roles in education, Mr. Larsen is an esteemed clinician and guest conductor, actively collaborating with middle and high school bands across Utah. Committed to advancing the field, he is an active member of the Utah Music Educators Association, having served on both the Utah All-State Band Committee and the UMEA Band Committee.

Mr. Larsen’s dedication to professional growth is evident through his attendance at various conferences and clinics, including the UMEA Mid-Winter Conference in St. George, Utah, The Midwest Clinic in Chicago, Illinois, and the Instrumental Music Teacher Educators (IMTE) Conference in Perrysville, Ohio. He has contributed significantly to the field, being published in the Utah Music Educators Association Journal, participating in peer-reviewed journal articles and a book on Social and Emotional Learning, and presenting a literature review poster on LGBTQ music educators. Notably, he has presented at the UMEA Mid-Winter Conference and the Instrumental Music Teacher Educators Conference, and in 2020, he spoke at the National Association for Music Education Conference in Orlando, Florida.

Born and raised in Castle Dale, Utah, Mr. Larsen is an alumnus of Emery High School. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Southern Utah University, his Master’s in Music Education from the University of Michigan, and his administrative endorsement at Utah State University. Currently residing in West Jordan, Utah, with his partner Alex, Mr. Larsen continues to contribute to the field of music education with passion and expertise.