Ryan Kerr is completing his BA in music composition in the College of Creative Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara under the tutelage of Dr. Leslie Hogan and Dr. Jeremy Haladyna. His focus is in staged instrumental works and theatrical works (from opera on the classical end of the spectrum to musical theater on the pop end). Ryan’s greatest influences, in a number of genres, include Franz Schubert, Mana, Kamijo, Amanda Palmer, Jason Robert Brown, Stephen Sondheim, and John Cameron. After matriculation from UCSB, Ryan will attend NYU’s graduate program in musical theater writing. Ryan has been involved with a number of theatrical productions, including his first musical Poppy (2005) based on The Rich Shall Inherit by Elizabeth Adler, and most recently as the musical director for Shrunken Head Productions (2005-2009).
Ryan’s original short opera At Any Cost will be performed in Winter 2009, followed by a rock musical currently entitled On Angels’ Wings in Spring 2009.
In addition to composing, Ryan is a multi-instrumentalist (keyboards, winds, and guitar) and vocalist (baritone).
Scores and recordings of Ryan’s music are available at the website of his publishing company and record label, Manuka Music.
