Ryan grew up in Sacramento, California. At age 12, obsessed by Metallica, he purchased his first electric guitar, and proceeded to take lessons. His first teacher proved to be less than capable and was shown the door, and his replacement turned Ryan's head towards classical music.
Newly inspired, Ryan began classical guitar studies with Dr. David Chapman, and at 15 started studying at CSU Sacramento. Numerous studies and master
classes followed, with a long list of teachers including Eliot Fisk, Adam Holzman, and Jason Vieaux.
In 2005, Ryan placed first in the Cal-ASTA Solo Guitar Competition (Sacramento Division) and was a finalist in the California State Division. He also placed second in the 2008 Society of American Musicians Competition, and has made semifinal appearances in the Portland State and Fresno State Guitar Competitions.
Ryan
completed his Master's Degree in classical guitar performance at the Chicago College of Performing Arts in 2008. He teaches privately, and plans to be licensed in the Suzuki method in the summer of 2009.
For more personal information from Ryan himself, go to the "More Instructor Info" page. You can also post any questions or comments directly to him in his personal forum, using the Message button to the left.