“Don’t stress over the things you cannot control, Show up and be [undeniable].”


Ryoken Apostol is a Marching Arts educator and Jazz Saxophonist based in the Bay Area, CA. Apostol is an in-demand Cymbal Specialist, Visual Designer, Music educator, and creative design consultant, all of which he is equally passionate about. His musical background as a multifaceted instrumentalist embodies jazz, funk, classical, hip-hop, and soul. Apostol’s musical nuances can be felt all across the Bay Area through different outlets of music through his live performances, and through the performances of the ensembles he teaches.


As a San Jose local, Ryoken has been immersed into music at the age of 9 in the Alum Rock district where he first began playing in concert ensembles and jazz ensembles. He attended his first Stanford Jazz Workshop at the age of 12 and has been involved with the Alum Rock Jazz program. Apostol continued his studies after high school at West Valley College, and has plans to transfer to San Jose State to pursue a degree in Jazz Studies. Apostol has studied under saxophonist Kristen Strom, Bay Area-Local saxophonist Oscar Pangilinan, and many other local Jazz Giants. Since then, Apostol’s passion for music has bloomed into a passion for performing and educating.

Apostol doubles as a percussionist, specializing in Cymbals. He has immersed himself in the Marching arts where he refined his skills as a musician with ensembles all across Northern and Southern California. In his earlier years, he spent his time refining his skills with Tri-City Percussion throughout 2018 and 2019, with Vessel Percussion in 2020, Blue Devils B throughout 2019 and 2020, and with Broken City Percussion in 2022. In his last years as a performer with Broken City, Apostol was inspired by the creative musical works of the Broken City Artists, Adam Watts and Mike Jackson. This experience enhanced Apostol’s passion for Music and Movement as the art pushes the boundaries of what is possible, and the percussive influences and nuances are heard, and seen in his ensembles and live performances today.

“The tenacity and passion of my past educators is what taught me about the cycle of knowledge and education that I wanted to be a part of to share the wealth of knowledge about music to all. No matter what field, passion inspires the next generation to immerse themselves into [this] journey.”