Kathleen Ryan

Kathleen Ryan has been in love with rhythmic sound since listening to marbles rolling in an aluminum dishpan at age 4. She had piano and percussion lessons as a child, then focused on classical piano, earning an BA in music and anthropology at Duke University and an MA in music at the Claremont Graduate University. Her piano teachers included Alice Shapiro, Ivan Waldbauer, and Barbara Lister-Sink.

Kathleen was the 2008 Professional Music Teachers of New Mexico Commissioned Composer, for which she composed Verbs, a set of 24 preludes for piano left hand alone, dedicated to Keith Snell. Her solo piano music demonstrates a contemporary impressionist style which borrows techniques and forms from classical, folk, blues, and Broadway music. Kathleen has also played snare drum in a marching band, composed a folk rock opera, improvised music for dancers, delivered singing telegrams, and composed and directed music for theater productions. She lives in the wilds of New Mexico with her husband, two magnificent cats, and a nearly tame squirrel.