Ryan is a guitarist, improviser, teacher, and has performed in many styles on stages in Canada, Europe and the USA. Ryan has studied the classical guitar, Renaissance lute, and played in a variety of bands, opening for artists such as Dio, Slaughter, Warrant, Watchmen, Cryptopsy, Misery Index etc. He has been active in the Toronto improvised music scene for over fifteen years, playing solo and with ad hoc ensembles, The Coin Operated Duo (with Mike Lynn), and as organizer and performer with the Toronto Improvisors Orchestra. Ryan holds a Bachelor of Music from Brock University and an MA in cultural studies from KU Leuven.