Brendan Dine didn’t always picture a future in music.
But after years of steady growth and involvement in nearly every ensemble available to him, the Bay City Central High School graduate earned a perfect score at Michigan’s State Solo & Ensemble Festival, ranking him as the top high school flute player in the state.
This fall, he’ll begin college at Central Michigan University on a full academic scholarship. He plans to double major in music performance and education.
“I’m most excited to keep learning about music,” Dine said. “Keep sharing my love and passion for music.”
A musical journey built on momentum
Dine’s musical path started early, after a kindergarten teacher encouraged his mom to enroll him in piano lessons. Even then, his natural curiosity and focus on his interests stood out. As a child, his mom Cheryl Dine said he would latch onto a single subject, a show, a character or his favorite color, and stay dedicated.
By fifth grade, he was assigned the flute in band class, the same instrument his mom once played. At first, he resisted. But that initial push would shape the course of his life.
“I still didn’t really want to do it,” he said. “But she ended up forcing me to do it, and then I’m very glad she did because I ended up really loving it.”
Over time, Brendan Dine fully immersed himself in music. In high school, he played in almost every ensemble available: jazz band, marching band, indoor drumline, steel drums and more.
When the band needed saxophone or bassoon players, Brendan Dine taught himself those instruments too, often stepping up to fill gaps left after the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted programs.
“I didn’t really think to do it as a career until freshman, sophomore year after some ensembles,” he said. “That’s when I really started to love it very deeply.”
His band director, Kristy Keenan, said Brendan Dine's ability to master multiple instruments set him apart from other students.
“Someone can say they play a lot of instruments, but he can say he can play a lot of different things really well,” Keenan said.
A perfect score, and a deeper purpose
Dine’s commitment was recognized in a big way this spring, when he performed a Telemann flute solo at the State Solo & Ensemble Festival. Not only did he receive a perfect score, he was the only student in Michigan to do so.
“I thought it was random at first,” he said. “But then I asked the person next to me who was also on first part, but she only got a 99. And I’m like, oh, didn’t realize I was the only one with 100.”
To prepare, Dine had begun private flute lessons during his sophomore year of high school, focusing on college-level performance standards and pushing himself beyond what was expected in class.
“A lot of work, a lot of practice and a lot of pushing myself to play harder music than I should be,” he said.
But for Dine, music isn’t just about scores or performances. On a school trip to Italy, Keenan said while most students were sightseeing or journaling, Dine sat down to begin composing an original string quartet.
“That’s how he chose to express his thoughts of the trip,” Keenan said.
Finding home in music
At home, Cheryl Dine said she’s watched her son’s connection to music shape not just his skills, but his confidence and sense of self. Naturally introverted and reserved, Brendan Dine often comes alive when surrounded by others playing music.
“Anytime he’s around his music ensembles or other people when he’s playing music, it’s almost like he’s himself,” she said. “He feels more comfortable, and it’s like he’s more at home and comfortable in his own skin.”
Outside of school, Brendan Dine joined a local community band and served as drum major for Bay City Central’s marching band. Cheryl Dine said it’s been emotional watching his work pay off, from the perfect score to his scholarship.
“It's been pretty amazing we all knew he was a pretty smart and an amazing kid,” she said. “When we got news that he was nominated for the Outstanding Soloist and then again, for Outstanding Jazz Musician and then his perfect score. I mean it was very shocking in a good way. We knew he had it in him...and we're all really proud of him.”
Cheryl often shares Brendan’s story with her own students as an example of what can happen when you take a chance on something.
“I like to tell them how he didn’t want to try something, and I gave him a little push,” she said. “He tried something new, and it turned out being the thing that he loves the most in life.”
Looking ahead, Dine said he wants to continue performing in college and eventually teach music. Those around him believe he’s well suited for both paths.
“He’s always looking to help everyone else and to have other people have the spotlight as well,” Keenan said. “So he’s pretty humble.”
