Jonathan Ryan

Acclaimed by audiences and critics alike for his strong communicative skills in numerous styles, depth of musicianship, and passion, Jonathan Ryan is hailed as one of the premiere young concert organists.  His command of an exceptionally large breadth of repertoire, spanning from the Renaissance to numerous solo and collaborative premieres, coupled with striking virtuosityenables the bold, imaginative programmingand exceptional use of each organ’s unique capability for which he is noted.

Mr. Ryan has the rare distinction of holding six First Prize awards from major international and national organ competitions.  He most notably entered the international spotlight when awarded both First Prize and the only auxiliary prize, the LeTourneau Concerto Prize, in the 2009 Jordan II International Organ Competition.

Jonathan Ryan’s recording entitled Influences, recorded on the Stahlhuth-Jann organ at St. Martin’s Church, Dudelange Luxembourg, appeared in winter 2015 on the independent boutique label, Acis. The recording features major works by Dupré and Willan, a premiere recording of Ad Wammes, and a commissioned piece by renowned English composer Philip Moore.  His début solo organ recording, A Cathedral’s Voice (Raven 941), was released in 2012 to immediate critical acclaim, including a five-star review in the London-based Choir & Organ.  Mr. Ryan’s performances have also been featured on the nationally syndicated radio programs Pipedreams and With Heart and Voice.

Solo performance engagements have taken Mr. Ryan to numerous prominent venues, festivals, and conventions throughout the United States and Europe, including St. Paul’s Cathedral in London (UK), the Nicolaikirche in Leipzig (Germany), the Cathédrale St-André in Bordeaux (France), international organ festivals in Zürich (Switzerland), Hamburg (Germany), Lübeck (Germany), the Piccolo Spoleto Festival’s prestigious Spotlight Series (Charleston SC), the inaugural organ concert series at the Cathedral of Christ the Light in Oakland CA, the 2014 Boston National Convention of the American Guild of Organists, and three National Conventions of the Organ Historical Society.  One of Mr. Ryan’s current recital projects includes performances of J.S. Bach’s monumental Clavier-Übung III on some of the most important historically-informed organs in the United States.

Born into a musical family in Charlotte, NC, Ryan first started playing the organ at age eight.  He holds degrees from the Cleveland Institute of Music and Eastman School of Music, as well as the revered Fellow (FAGO) and Choirmaster (ChM) certifications from the American Guild of Organists.

Jonathan serves as Director of Music & Organist at Christ Church Cranbrook (Episcopal) in Bloomfield Hills, MI.  He has previously served as Director of Music & Organist at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church in Dallas TX, the country’s second largest Episcopal church, where he led the establishment of a new chorister program for ages 4 to 18 based on the Royal School of Church Music, founded the professional Compline Choir, and expanded the music staff and choral liturgies.  Prior positions include serving as Associate Director of Music within the music program of nine choirs at Christ Church (Episcopal) in Greenwich CT, director, conducting and organist positions at St. John Cantius Church in Chicago IL and St. Anne Church in Rochester NY where he was additionally Artistic Director of the Music at St. Anne concert series, and University Organist at the University of Rochester.   Equally at home on the conducting podium, he has conducted the premiere of numerous works for choir and instrumental ensembles, and directed and founded choirs of all ages and abilities.  In fall of 2022, he served as Guest Director of the Dallas Symphony Chorus.

For additional information, including upcoming performances and purchasing recordings,

please visit:www.jonathan-ryan.com