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About

Ryan Tucker is a composer and pianist whose work spans films, podcasts, theater, and more. His passion for music began at a young age, learning piano at age five from his mother and grandmother. Ryan's talent flourished in his formative years as he arranged songs for his classmates' recitals, performed in theater and choir, and won his 12th grade composition contest .

Ryan honed his craft at Columbia College Chicago, where he studied music composition under the guidance of Ilya Levinson and Sebastian Huydts. He undertook ambitious projects, including composing a violin concerto in two movements for chamber orchestra, and arranging Claude Debussy's "Golliwog's Cake-Walk" for the Chicago Composer's Orchestra. He also contributed arrangements to Columbia's New Music Ensemble and collaborated with the theater department as a music director. Ryan graduated early in winter 2020 with a Bachelor's of Arts in Music.

Ryan's professional journey has seen him contribute to a variety of creative endeavors. He has written music for the podcast "Sh!t Fic" and serves as the Audio Team Leader for the upcoming TTRPG podcast "The Malachite Wastes," set to release in June. His community collaborations include working with indie artists, recording at Rax Trax Recording Studio, and composing demos for Impact Soundworks' sample libraries.

In addition to composing and performing, Ryan teaches piano and theory to children from kindergarten through 12th grade, and provides college & career guidance to high schoolers. Passionate about his students' well being, he emphasizes the connection between art and onesself, encouraging the pursuit of a life worth living.

Ryan's music is deeply rooted in emotion, aiming to capture the feelings and moods that words fail to express. His work consists of harmonically and melodically rich compositions, experimenting with percussive and organic sounds combined with sample libraries and live players. Steadfast in the belief that music is a collaborative effort, he regularly invites fellow musicians to play in his scores.  Through empathizing with his partners and collaborators, he enriches his musical storytelling.

Beyond his musical pursuits, Ryan enjoys creating cgi animations, long walks, spending time with friends and family, and advocating for the preservation and expansion of natural spaces. He shares his home with his two cats, Nocturne and Limerick, and his ball python, Nay Nay.

Ryan Tucker continues to inspire creativity through his music, teaching, and collaborations. Based in Chicago, he remains committed to exploring new ideas, hearing others stories, and sharing his passion with audiences and fellow artists alike.