Ryan Smith

Ryan Smith started playing trombone at the age of 10 in Hummelstown, PA where he studied with John Lemke.  While earning a bachelors of music from Penn State University, Ryan studied with Mark Lusk and spent his summers performing in the bands at Hersheypark .   In 2017, Ryan moved to Florida to pursue his master’s degree at the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music and study with Tim Conner.  While in Florida, Ryan played in the orchestra on the Broadway Tour of Fiddler on the Roof and also traveled to Santiago de Cuba to perform for the local communities.  He currently teaches elementary band in the Mt. Lebanon School District (PA) as well as teaching privately and working as a freelance musician in the Pittsburgh area.
 
Ryan has performed with Wayne Bergeron, Kirk Wahlum, Arturo Sandoval, Ann Hampton Calloway and John Fedchock.


Ryan's Gear
 
Trombones

• Bach 16 [Sterling Silver Bell], Bach 6 ½AL  mouthpiece
• Bach 42AF, Bach 5G mouthpiece

 Ryan's Musical Influences

Favorite Chicago songs:  It’s a three way tie between "Beginnings", "Does Anybody Know What Time It Is?" and "Feelin’ Stronger Everyday".  (Of course they are all songs that feature the trombone prominently.)
 
Favorite Chicago album:  Chicago Transit Authority

Favorite member of Chicago:  Mr. Jimmy Pankow, of course! (I hope I have as much energy as him when I’m 74!)
 
Top 10 artists or bands (other than Chicago): 

• JJ Johnson

• Andy Martin (LA recording studio artist)

• Gregory Porter
• Ella Fitzgerald
• Tower of Power
• The Beatles
• Aerosmith
• Green Day
• James Taylor
• Jimmy Buffett (my guilty pleasure music AND an honorary doctor from University of Miami)

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