Palatine native Ria Iyer was only a sophomore when she learned she had been selected to be part of the drum major team at UCLA. Having led her Palatine High School marching band as drum major, she had enough confidence and drive to audition.
Ria Iyer, right, with the UCLA pep band after the Bruins won the Women’s Championship
When she made it, little did she dream she’d be directing the Bruins’ pep band in the Final Four, let alone at the national championship game.
“We were all so excited to go to the Final Four and have the chance to watch them take the whole thing,” Iyer says. “The energy in Phoenix was electric with the idea of taking the title, and actually watching the confetti fall and looking at the dominant final score was unforgettable.
“The band was so incredible the entire time,” she added. “It truly was a privilege to be their drum major, and I’m so lucky I got to conduct at the championship.”
It started back at Palatine High School, where she played flute and was a drum major. Carlos Esquivel, Director of Bands, remains in touch with her and while he is thrilled to see his former student in the national spotlight, he’s not surprised.
Ria Iyer leads the Palatine High School pep band into a basketball game.
“Ria was super positive, energetic and an encouraging student,” Esquivel says. “She was involved in a lot academically, athletically and in other clubs, and really loved band. We had her out this past summer to talk to our student leaders.”
No doubt, Iyer had a lot to share. She sees the band playing a prominent role at March madness games, and not just playing for the fans during timeouts. They are an important motivator for the team, Iyer says.
“I always tell the band that the entire purpose we go on these trips with the team is to help them feel a little more at home in a new place with fans of the other team present,” she explains. “I went to the Men’s Big 10 Tournament in March at the United Center and there were very few UCLA fans around.
“I kept telling the band that we were there to help the team feel supported and have a little familiarity in an unfamiliar situation,” Iyer says. “That helped them understand that their voices and their sound are powerful in those situations and helps the team settle their nerves.”
As it turns out, the pep band and the Lady Bruins have a special relationship.
Ria Iyer directs the Bruins’ pep band at the Final Four semi-final against the Texas Longhorns.
“They are so kind to us, and always include us into their family,” Iyer says. “When asked in press conferences, we’re always referenced as part of their village, and they thank us after every game.”
Iyer not only directs the pep band, she also selects the songs they play, always being careful to include the team’s favorites in the playlist.
“There are moments where a perfectly timed fight song can get into the opponent’s head, as well as amp up the crowd to do our school’s chant, the 8-clap, all together,” she says. “The women’s team always tells us that they love us and they have a series of favorite tunes we play.
“We make sure to play them for them as often as we can,” Iyer adds. “I love being in pep band because you can really turn up the energy of the stadium.”
Ria Iyer prepares to lead the Palatine High School marching band at Chic Anderson Stadium.
The band’s excitement during the Final Four at the Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix even captured the attention of ESPN, which featured them on air and even shared a clip on TikTok, of Iyer excitedly leading them.
In reflecting on her journey, Iyer says it all comes back to her experience at Palatine, where she first honed her skills as a drum major and a leader.
“I loved being able to serve the band in that capacity, and be a resource for my peers as well as for my directors,” Iyers says. “Band gave so much to me, and I wanted to give back.”
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