Michael Tran


Biography

Michael Tran is currently in his tenth year as the band director at Inglewood Middle School. Over the past decade, his bands have earned consistent recognition at regional festivals such as Music in the Parks, Lionel Hampton, and Mt. Hood, receiving top placements, Esprit de Corps honors, and multiple musicianship awards. In 2025, Tran launched the school’s first competitive marching band, making a memorable debut by capturing first place in its inaugural performance. Beyond the band room, Tran performs with the Seattle Symphony Chorale and has served as a basketball coach, leading the school’s girls varsity team to an undefeated district championship in 2019. In that same year, Michael earned the honor of Educator of the Year at his school, receiving it again most recently in 2023.

Before stepping into his current role, Tran worked with many ensembles across the Pacific Northwest and spent three years writing and coordinating for the Central Washington University Marching Band. He holds dual bachelor’s degrees in music education and psychology from CWU, where he was involved in a wide range of ensembles and served as a collegiate senator and club president. In 2024, he completed his master’s degree in music education from Eastern Washington University. Tran’s passion for the marching arts began in school before joining the Seattle Cascades and Troopers Drum & Bugle Corps as a lead trumpet player. He served his final year in the activity as Drum Major and later returned to the Cascades, ultimately being promoted to Executive and Corps Director. During his leadership, the corps achieved its highest placement at the DCI World Championships since 2010.

Michael currently lives in Redmond, Washington with his wife, where they enjoy traveling, attending live events, and exploring the outdoors. He remains passionate about teaching and is always excited to help the next generation of performers grow. He’s thrilled to be spending his tenth year adjudicating today’s event and wishes all performers the very best!