Praised for his "strong and unique voice" (Winnipeg Free Press), "masterful command of instrumental colour" (Georgia Straight), and "superb attention to rhythm" (Audio Ideas Guide), Jeffrey Ryan has emerged as one of Canada's leading composers. His music has been commissioned, performed and broadcast by major orchestras, ensembles and soloists across Canada and internationally, has inspired new works by choreographers Barbara Bourget and Rob Kitsos, and served as the soundtrack to the dance film Fata Morgana.
Twice nominated for Classical Composition of the Year Juno awards (Quantum Mechanics in 2008 and Pangaea in 2005, the latter recorded by the Thunder Bay Symphony), his growing discography includes recordings by the Bowling Green Philharmonia, the Hannaford Street Silver Band, and the Penderecki String Quartet. 2010 added recordings by musica intima, the Canadian Chamber Choir, and pianist Rachel Kiyo Iwaasa, with a release by the Vancouver Symphony upcoming.
Based in Vancouver, Ryan is Composer Advisor for Music Toronto, and was the Vancouver Symphony's Composer Laureate for the 2008/09 season, after serving as the VSO's Composer-in-Residence from 2002 to 2007.
Jeffrey Ryan holds degrees from Wilfrid Laurier University, the University of Toronto and The Cleveland Institute of Music.