Bryan retired from a 35-year career as a music educator in Nanaimo. Since ‘retiring,’ he has taught Jazz Theory and Improvisation in the Vancouver Island University Music Department. He directs the Nanaimo Musicians' Association Big Band.
Bryan’s school bands won many provincial and national awards; and his groups performed in Japan, the United States, various countries in Europe, and every major city in Canada. Many of his former students are professional musicians and music educators, the best known being international stars Diana Krall, Ingrid Jensen, and Christine Jensen.
Bryan is a Music Fest Canada Hall of Fame member and recipient of the Marshall McLuhan Distinguished Teacher Award for both BC and Canada; upon his retirement he was honoured by the BC Music Educators’ Association with its Professional Music Educator Award. He is former chairman of the Concert Band and Orchestra division of Music Fest Canada and sits on the Festival’s board of directors.
What Bryan enjoys most is working with music students of all ages.