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Ryan holding his viola and violin.

I started out as a music student in 1st grade, taking piano lessons from a neighbor.  A year later I added violin lessons.  Over the next several years I continued piano and violin, and sang in a children's choir.  In 7th grade I switched from violin to viola, which is my main instrument today.

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I started teaching when I was in high school.  My first student was a friend's younger brother who wanted to learn piano.

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After finishing high school I attended Hunter College in New York City. I graduated with a bachelor's degree in music performance (concentration in viola) in 2009.

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After graduating I stayed in New York, freelancing and teaching.  I played with a bunch of small opera companies and orchestras, and taught violin and viola lessons.  I also worked with youth orchestras via Brooklyn Youth Music Project, and for two years was the head of the strings program at Poly Prep Country Day School.

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In 2013 I moved back to the Salt Lake area, and I've been here ever since.  I still freelance and teach.  Gigs have ranged from small weddings and parties to shows with Ballet West to solo appearances in Singapore and Berlin.  I have taught in schools here via Riverton Music's string program and also Canyons District "brain booster" program.

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In 2021 I started printing and selling sheet music for pieces I like to use while teaching.  Those pieces are available for purchase by anyone - to see them just click on "sheet music" above.

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In 2024 I became one of the founding members of the Sky Island Quartet, a string quartet that performs classical music in Midvale and the surrounding areas.  You can learn more about the quartet by visiting skyislandquartet.com.

About Me

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