Tri-Cities Steel Band Association

CELEBRATING OUR SENIORS:

“Be the best of whatever you are.” — Martin Luther King, Jr.

Cameron Smith began his steel drum career in 4th grade as a member of Tapteal Elementary’s Kid Calypso. Cameron began at TCSBA with classes He auditioned for Ok2Botay, made it, and then the world shut down for COVID. When the world reopened, he was beyond thrilled to join Bram Brata as an 8th grade student. He enjoys challenging himself during performances. If you watch him closely, you can see him playing a the bass drums “one-armed” or behind his back during his favorite songs.
After graduation from Hanford High School, Cameron will be attending Columbia Basin College in the fall to begin his AA degree. His current plan is to transfer to Central Washington University in Ellensburg after his associates degree to pursue a degree in Secondary Education.

Do you have questions about our organization? Need a book and want to support a good cause? Stop by Barnes & Noble in Kennewick tomorrow anytime between 10am and 8pm and chat with some marimba band members! We'll have an instrument you can take a look at, and will be happy to answer all your questions regarding our upcoming classes, our audition bands, and the exciting tour we have planned for this summer. Grab a book (or five) while you're there, mention TCSBA at the register, and Barnes & Noble will donate a portion of your purchase back to TCSBA. It doesn't cost you any extra, and it goes a long way to help support our fabulous musicians! See you tomorrow!

CELEBRATING OUR SENIOR"

“If you own this story you get to write the ending.” — Brené Brown

Isabella Clifford has been playing the steel pan with TCSBA for the past 6 years, not including classes. Her favorite memory from Bram Bratá is from when they played at the Showboat in Vancouver. She said, "That was the best audience I've ever played for!" Isabella plans to attend BYU Idaho in the fall to major in piano performance, and minor in elementary education. She wants to pursue a career in elementary education, and eventually open a piano studio where she hopes to teach full-time.

CELEBRATING OUR SENIORS:

“The only impossible journey is the one you never begin.” — Tony Robbins

Kaede will be going to WSU Pullman and majoring in engineering. Go Cougs! Kaede started his percussion journey with Walt’s marimba band at White Bluffs in 4th and 5th grade and after steel drum classes with Ben in the summers, he joined OK2Botay in 5th grade. He moved to Bram in 8th grade and super panned in both steel bands for 2 years so he definitely got the full TCSBA experience with extra tours and retreats! His favorite memories include all the friends he’s made, road trips, retreats, tours and The Odyssey IYKYK.

CELEBRATING OUR SENIORS:

“The only way to discover the limits of the possible is to go beyond them into the impossible.” — Arthur C. Clarke

Amelie Rider has been playing the marimbas with Bahuru since 8th grade. She enjoys playing flute and bass and hopes to play in the orchestra pit professionally. She is graduating from Richland High School on June 5, and from Columbia Basin College on June 18 with her AA. She'll be attending the University of Washington in the fall and majoring in Chemistry.

What a fun morning it is down here at Howard Amon Park celebrating the ladies who are completing their 5K with Girls on the Run Southeast Washington . Great job and an honor to celebrate with you all!!

CELEBRATING OUR SENIORS:

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” — Eleanor Roosevelt

Grace Blankenship, is graduating this year from Hanford High School and Columbia Basin College with her Pre-Nursing Associate in Arts and Science degree. She plans to attend Northwest Nazarene University in Nampa, Idaho this fall to pursue her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.

She has been in the TCSBA band for seven years, not including summer classes. Her favorite TCSBA memories are the friendships formed and Bram summers spent together.

CELEBRATING OUR SENIORS:

“Some people dream of success, while other people get up every morning and make it happen.” — Wayne Huizenga

Ryann Peyton is attending the University of Washington this fall to study Applied and Computational Mathematical Sciences. She intends to continue to be a nerd for the rest of her life. She started with TCSBA in 3rd grade, taking summer classes. Her professional marimba career started in 6th grade after receiving the life changing email that she was accepted into Baduku. Ryann’s favorite TCSBA memory is surprising Mr. Hampton with the infamous shirts while on tour. Does everyone know that Walt Hampton has a dog that has a toy and that every time he arrives home, his dog brings him said toy? Thank you all for the years of magical memories and Ryann, we are so proud of you.

CELEBRATING OUR SENIORS:

“The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.” — Steve Jobs

Noah will be going to Washington State University in Pullman to study materials science engineering. He started playing steel drums in TCSBA summer classes and liked it enough to do it for nine more years. TCSBA has brought him some of his closest friends and favorite people, and his best memories are of Bram Brata’s long car rides, retreats, and late night Denny’s runs.