Music Performance with Ryan M.

Born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri, music has always been Ryan's passion ever since he can remember. Ryan began piano lessons at the age of 5 and has been learning, playing, performing and teaching ever since. With 22 years of experience, he has had the privilege of studying and playing music with Kansas City and St. Louis’ finest instructors and musicians including: Joe Miquelon (KC), Carol Beth True (STL), Bobby Watson (KC), and Paul Demarinis (STL), to name a few. Ryan studied jazz piano performance at Webster University in Webster Groves, MO. He is a lover of all musical styles, with specific emphasis in Jazz/Blues, Rock, Pop, Soul/R&B. He has played in countless ensembles/bands and has experience playing Piano, Keyboards, Organ (Key Bass), Bass Guitar, Guitar, Violin, Cello, Saxophone, and Vocals. Ryan has had the pleasure of teaching students of all levels and ages for the past 10 years. He is a firm believer that there is no standard way to teach music and that music serves unique functions to each individual. For some it’s a hobby and for some it’s a career. It is his goal to make sure students receive exactly what they desire out of their music education in a fun, relaxed environment while instilling a solid foundation in theory, history, and listening to gain a full understanding and respect for music. Currently, Ryan is involved with the development of two different groups in the St. Louis music scene. The People's Key, an organ jazz group, swings all around town covering music from all genre's from modern artists in a jazz style. The other group is an instrumental trio called toyMaker. toyMaker has created their own unique sound of blending the use of electronics/synths with a retro, organic vibe of live instrumentation/performance. The group draws on a multitude of influences as you can hear elements of funk, indie-rock infused with soundscapes of ambient, new age, magical worlds created by the infinite palette of keyboards/electronics, bass and drums. Ryan has had the pleasure of performing all around the US as well as the World (England, France, Germany, Austria, Kosovo, among others). Formerly, he performed keyboards/bass keys in 2010 and 2011 RFT “Best Jam Band,” Fresh Heir as well as held the house residency in St. Louis Jazz Great, Willie Akins’s (Tenor Sax) band from 2007-2010. Ryan's experience in playing, performing, writing, recording, traveling and teaching has shaped him into the well rounded versatile musician and educator he is today. Finding the right teacher can be difficult, especially one to fit your learning style. A wrong impression made by a teacher could leave a life long negative effect on the student's perspective regarding music. This is why it's important to find a teacher has not only teaching experience but one that actively participates as a working musician. It is Ryan's goal to keep his students passionate and involved by listening to their desires while at the same time instilling sound fundamentals and increase musical knowledge through the use of theory, listening and history. Music is an all encompassing subject. For some Music can be a personal journey, a hobby or relaxation/meditation as an escape from daily adventures. For others, Music can be a lifetime career of playing/performing/teaching. Whether you just want to learn a few songs for fun, learn to read music, or want to dig into the nuts and bolts of Music/Jazz Theory to be the greatest piano/keyboard player that every lived, Ryan's vast knowledge of music/history/culture will give any age or level of student access to learning the tools needed to accomplish their goals. As a teacher, Ryan's philosophy is to have open communication with the student to zone in on the students goals/desires so that the student actually accomplishes tasks/goals that they want to learn. He specializes in Jazz/Blues/Funk/Key-Bass/Organ/Keyboards/Pop/Soul/Gospel and R & B but loves and plays all kinds of music. Music is a Universal Language and in learning music a student who begins to understand the language will have access to accelerated learning skills/talents in other areas. Music has been proven to help the development of brain function as well as the development of motor skills and the dependency between hand/eye/ear coordination. Lessons with Ryan are as laid back or task oriented as you like them to be.