About
Dr. Ryan Scott (he, him) has performed extensively as a marimba and multi-percussion soloist in contemporary music festivals in Europe, Japan, China, Indonesia, South Africa, the UK and The Netherlands. He has also performed as guest soloist in over 25 different percussion concerti with the Esprit Orchestra, the National Arts Centre Orchestra, The Hyogo Performing Arts Centre Orchestra, The Austin Symphony and numerous other orchestras and chamber ensembles across North America.
Ryan is a stalwart figure in the Toronto contemporary music community and has performed in over 400 world premieres. In addition to his work as a regular guest artist with NEXUS, Principal Percussionist of the Esprit Orchestra and Percussionist in the Canadian Opera Company Orchestra since 1996, he is also a sought-after chamber musician and teacher. A core member of Continuum Contemporary Music (founded 1985), he also serves the organization as Artistic Director. Through his work at Continuum, Ryan received the 2020 and 2021 “Toronto Musician of the Year Award” from the TMA local 149, Toronto Musicians’ Union.
Ryan studied with Russell Hartenberger and Robin Engelman at the University of Toronto (BMus, MMus, DMA) and serves on the faculty at the National Youth Orchestra of Canada. His dissertation on the Art of Marimba in Tokyo can be read here.
The 21stC Canadian Snare Drum Project
Thank you to the Canada Council for the Arts for believing in this project and supporting, in full, the commissioning of 15 new works for solo snare drum by Kati Agócs, Amy Brandon, Brian Current, Jason Doell, Emilie LeBel, Nicole Lizée, Russell Hartenberger, Vincent Ho, Anna Höstman, Michael Oesterle, Monica Pearce, Bekah Simms, Andrew Staniland, Hiroki Tsurumoto and Christina Volpini. Additionally, I am grateful to the Ontario Arts Council for funding the recording phase of this project with Paul Talbott; all coming to fruition in the summer of 2023!
Artistic Director, Continuum Contemporary Music
Since 1985, Continuum has supported new ideas in contemporary chamber music through unique and compelling programming. Continuum each year presents a series of diversely themed concerts, often involving interdisciplinary collaborations with a broad range of partners and participants. Drawing from a collective of some of Canada’s most accomplished contemporary music performers and composers, the organization continuously earns international acclaim as a leading contributor of opportunities in the art form, delivered within the highest standards of musicianship. Continuum received the “Friends of Canadian Music Award” in 2022 with mezzo-soprano Marion Newman, from the Canadian League of Composers and The Canadian Music Centre. Visit website.
Photo Gallery
Recording Christopher Mayo, August, 2021
With Rhoma Spencer, July, 2021
Covid Captures, New Music Concerts in Koerner Hall, October, 2020.
Tan Dun's Water Passion after St. Matthew
Performing Maki Ishii's Afro Concerto
With Krisztina Szabo performing Amente Nufe by R. Murray Schafer
Pre-concerto chat with Andrew Norman and Alexina Louie, Esprit Orchestra.
Andrew Norman's "Switch" concerto
With NEXUS in Hyogo, Japan.
Performing with Gamin (saengwhang)
With Haruka Fujii, Rika Fujii and Gregory Oh
With Chuck Daellenbach, Bob Becker, Russell Hartenberger, Howard Cable and Robin Engelman
With my teacher, Russell Hartenberger
With NEXUS
With master percussionists Yasunori Yamaguchi and Sumire Yoshihara
With Ruth Howard
With Steve Reich
With Jo Kondo
With Vinko Globokar
With Krzysztof Penderecki
With Michiko Takahashi
With Mutsuko Fujii, Sena and Evan
With my family (2019)