Ryan Chen, from Tucson, Arizona, began studying classical guitar at the age of 6. He was a prize winner at the Guitar Foundation of America International Youth Competition (2016), a 2-time AMEA State Soloist (2017, 2019), and a 2-time NAfME All-National Honor Ensemble guitarist (2018, 2019). In addition, he was the 2019 Senior Strings division winner in the Civic Orchestra of Tucson Young Artists’ Competition and the 1st classical guitarist to place in strings since the competition was introduced.
Ryan has performed in “Trilogy: Award Winning Guitarists” at DesertView Performing Arts Center (2017), Tucson Guitar Society & Tohono Chul Park “Sundays in the Garden” Fall Concert Series (2018), and with the Arizona Symphonic Winds (2018). He was the first guitar soloist, in the 65-year history of orchestra, to perform a concerto with the Tucson Philharmonia Youth Orchestra at the Philharmonia Artists Spotlight Concert (2019). More recently, Ryan performed at the Civic Orchestra of Tucson Benefit Concert (2020). Due to the cancellation of both Spring and Fall 2020 concert seasons, Ryan’s performance in the Music Under the Stars Concert Series with the Tucson Pops Orchestra has been postponed until the Spring 2021 season.
Ryan has had the privilege of playing in Master Classes with David Russell, Sergio & Odair Assad, Judicael Perroy, Jeremy Jouve, and others. He is a student of Professor Tom Patterson at the University of Arizona. As a first year undergraduate, Ryan is pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Optical Sciences & Engineering and a minor in music with an emphasis in classical guitar.