Josh Ryan teaches percussion and percussion methods, directs the percussion ensemble and serves as chair of the woodwinds, brass & percussion department at Baldwin Wallace University in Berea, Ohio. A versatile performer and clinician, Ryan is an active musician in many genres. He has been the principal timpanist of the Madison Symphony Orchestra and has also performed with the Maryland Symphony, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Cleveland Chamber Symphony, Peabody Symphony Orchestra and the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra. Ryan has also taught at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater where he founded the summer percussion camp.
Ryan has studied African music in Ghana, West Africa with the Agbeli family and is also a student of Valerie Naranjo. He has traveled to Cuba to study with Regino Jimenez and Daniel Alfonso. He is also a long-time student of Afro-Cuban percussionist Michael Spiro and recently co-authored a book with him. A frequent clinician in non-Western styles of music, Ryan teaches workshops for music educators throughout the country and is a frequent clinician at music education conferences.
Ryan is co-founder of the Africa -> West Percussion trio, a professional percussion ensemble in residence at Baldwin Wallace University. The trio recently released its fourth CD, Loud Fossil, and performs in a variety of venues. The group also released a recording with world-renowned percussionist and singer Valerie Naranjo in 2017. Active in new music featuring percussion instruments, Ryan regularly performs as a solo marimbist & percussionist, and as a chamber musician. He has performed for notable composers including Steve Reich, Christopher Theofanidis, David Lang, Joseph Schwantner and Chen Yi.
