Rick Yanez is the current Percussion Director for Hidalgo I.S.D. where he is responsible for:  Ida Diaz Jr. High Percussion studio for grades 6th-8th.  This includes concert percussion and drumline instruction.  At Hidalgo Early College High School, he assists with the marching program and is in charge of all percussion instruction which includes drumline, front ensemble Jazz Band and concert percussion.  In the spring, he is Director of the Hidalgo Indoor Percussion Ensemble (H.I.P.E) which is the 2012 Texas Education Colorguard Association Winter Drumline Class AA State Champion.

Throughout his career he has taught at various schools in South Texas including Roma High school, Rio Grande High City High School and La Joya High School.  He has also worked as s Percussion Consultant for Edinburg High School, Donna High School and  Harlingen South Summer Drumline Camp.  He was also a member of the Percussion Staff under the direction of Lamar Buckhakter.  Rick is currently a part of Unified Percussion which is comprised of local percussion instructors from the South Texas area.  He also a performed with the McAllen Town Band and the Corpus Christi Symphony.

Rick has a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from Texas A&M Kingsville University.  While at the University, he was part of the Marching Band and section leader of the Drumline, played drumset in the critically acclaimed Jazz Band.  He also performed with the Percussion Ensemble and Symphony Band.  While in college he was also a member of The Velvet Knights Drum & Bugle Corps.

During his free time, Ricj focuses his attention on his wife, Anissa and his children, Joshua, Samantha, Orion and Lincoln.