Biography

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 the organ’s repertoire, spanning from the Renaissance to numerous solo and collaborative premieres, coupled with scholarship and striking virtuosity enables the bold, imaginative programming and exceptional use of each organ’s unique capability for which he is noted.

Renowned juries have awarded Jonathan the rare distinction of holding six First Prize awards at major international and national organ competitions.  He most notably entered the international spotlight when awarded First Prize in the 2009 Jordan II International Organ Competition, one of the most substantial First Prize awards of any organ competition at the time, alongside one of the most stringent repertoire requirements. He was additionally awarded the only auxiliary prize at the Jordan Competition, the LeTourneau Concerto Prize, given for the best performance of a newly commissioned work for organ and percussion ensemble.  Additional First Prize awards include the 2006 Arthur Poister National Organ Competition, the 2006 John Rodland Scholarship Competition, the 2004 Albert Schweitzer National Organ Competition (Young Professional Division), and the 2003 Augustana Arts-Reuter National Organ Competition.

Jonathan’s début solo organ recording, A Cathedral’s Voice (Raven 941), was recently released to immediate critical acclaim, including a five-star review in the London-based Choir & Organ.  Lauded for its mastery, expressivity, sensitivity, and virtuosity, it includes music ranging from Byrd and Bach to Schumann and Eben to a commission by multi award-winning young American composer Zachary Wadsworth.  The release of his next solo recording is anticipated in winter 2015 on the Acis label featuring major works by Dupré and Willan, a premiere recording of Ad Wammes, and a commission by renowned English composer Philip Moore.  Jonathan's performances have also been featured on the nationally syndicated radio programs PIPEDREAMS and WITH HEART AND VOICE.

As a recitalist, Jonathan’s solo engagements have taken him to numerous prominent venues and festivals throughout the United States and Europe, including St. Paul’s Cathedral, London (UK), the Nicolaikirche in Leipzig (Germany), the Cathédrale St-André in Bordeaux (France), international organ festivals in Zürich (Switzerland), Hamburg (Germany), Lübeck (Germany), Konstanz (Germany), the Piccolo Spoleto Festival’s prestigious Spotlight Series (Charleston, SC), the 2012 Bach Festival at Our Lady of Fatima Church in Seattle, WA, the 2012 Eccles Organ Festival (Salt Lake City, UT), the inaugural organ concert series’ at the Cathedrals of Christ the Light in Oakland, CA and St. John Berchmans in Shreveport, LA, the opening recital of the 2012 Symposium on Charles Tournemire (Ft. Lauderdale/Miami, FL), concerts at Ripon, Southwark, and Truro Cathedrals (UK), the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Houston, TX, recitals sponsored by the Chapters of the American Guild of Organists in Cleveland, OH, Kansas City, MO, Fairfield County CT, Charlotte, NC, and Little Rock, AR, and a celebrity recital at St. Michael & All Angels Church, Great Torrington (UK).  He performed two full-length recitals at the 2014 Boston National Convention of the American Guild of Organists, and recitals, including opening and closing, at National Conventions of the Organ Historical Society in Syracuse, NY (2014), Chicago, IL (2012), and Pittsburgh, PA (2010).

Born into a musical family in Charlotte, NC, Jonathan first started playing the organ at age eight.  He earned a Bachelor of Music degree with academic honors from the Cleveland Institute of Music where he studied organ, improvisation, and church music with Todd Wilson.  During Jonathan’s undergraduate studies, he was awarded the Henry Fusner Prize for outstanding achievement in the Cleveland Institute of Music’s organ department, and also served as Wilson’s assistant at The Church of the Covenant.  As a student of David Higgs, Jonathan received a Master of Music degree from the Eastman School of Music where he also studied improvisation with William Porter and conducting with William Weinert.  Additionally, he holds the highest-ranking professional certification from the American Guild of Organists, the revered Fellow certificate, as well as the Choirmaster certificate for which he received the Choirmaster Prize in 2006 for the highest national Choirmaster certificate exam score that year.

Jonathan’s passion for conducting and love of sacred music has spurred him to combine his performing and teaching with serving as Associate Director of Music in one of the largest music programs in the Episcopal Church, Christ Church in Greenwich, CT.  Among Christ Church’s nine choirs, he directs the adult choir in choral Masses and concerts, and assists with the Choir of Men & Boys and the Girls Choir.   Jonathan also serves as faculty, principal organist, and a conductor of the Church Music Association of America and their annual summer Colloquiums where he regularly gives lectures and masterclasses, and pursues one of his greatest interests in Western music: Gregorian chant.  He has previously held director, conducting and organist positions at St. John Cantius Church in Chicago, IL and St. Anne Church in Rochester, NY where he was Artistic Director of the Music at St. Anne concert series, and University Organist at the University of Rochester.  During his two seasons as Visiting Artist at St. James Cathedral in Chicago, IL, his solo organ accompaniment transcription of the Brahms Ein Deutsches Requiem, Op. 45, performed live in concert with the St. James Cathedral Choir (Bruce Barber, conductor), was showcased on the Friday night “Music in Chicago” program of Chicago’s Classical Music Station, WFMT.

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North American Presenters: downloadable press materials here.

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