Barron Ryan

Barron Ryan’s love for music has always been divided. The son of two musicians, he grew up in a house filled with the sounds of everything ranging from Beethoven to James Brown. So when it comes to his own performing, he’s not content drawing on just one of those influences; he combines them all into an adventure that’s vintage yet fresh, historical yet hip, classic yet cool.

Even when beginning to make his own music, Barron needed more than one outlet. He started piano lessons at the age of four, but at the same time began teaching himself drums. While progressing through middle and high schools, he won prizes in classical piano competitions while also earning a reputation as a formidable jazz drummer.

In college, Barron continued to excel in multiple fields, majoring in piano performance and even earning a spot playing snare in the marching band drumline. Though he increasingly turned his focus toward the piano, the genres of classical, jazz, and funk continued to attract his attention.

Now Barron applies his myriad interests and expertise to create an awe-inspiring program. He performs jazz-infused classical music by composers such as George Gershwin and Nikolai Kapustin, and he plays astoundingly virtuosic transcriptions by some of the best jazz pianists ever: Art Tatum, Bill Evans, and Oscar Peterson. So whether you’re looking for music with more heritage or more edge, Barron Ryan will give you a performance that’s timeless.