Braden Vander Ley

Braden is 25 and is from Denver Colorado. He enjoys spending time outside hiking, camping, paddleboarding, and you can often find him playing disc golf around the Denver area. He is an avid reader and enjoys playing board games with friends and family.

Braden has been a percussionist for the majority of his life, he was in his high schools marching band and indoor percussion ensemble for each year he was there. He also had a successful DCI and WGI career, marching Seattle Cascades in 2019, Blue Knights in 2021, and Academy in 2022. He was also in the Blue Knights Percussion Ensemble from 2020-2022, and Broken City in 2023.

Braden has been involved with teaching in the Colorado band scene for several years. He worked with Columbine High School from 2020-2023, directing their percussion program during that time. He has also been on staff with Rise Percussion since 2024, making the 2027 season his fourth consecutive season with the ensemble, and second consecutive season as the front ensemble caption head.