Teachers and Staff | Ryan Johnson

Ryan Johnson is a nationally endorsed guitarist, performer, composer, and producer who has headlined at internationally renowned music festivals and continues to play an active role in the professional music industry. Beyond working with national musicians, Ryan has over ten years of experience in formal music education, serving as a committed music educator within the Rochester City School District. His passion for arts education inspired the creation of ROC City Players, the district’s first-ever musical theater company, which he founded and has led in producing multiple full-scale productions annually for the past eight years. Ryan earned a Bachelor’s degree in Music from Empire State University, a Master’s in Music Theory from SFA University of Texas, a Master’s in Music Education from the University at Buffalo and is currently completing his Doctorate in Music Education at Boston University. His research focuses on anti-racism and inclusionary activism within Western music practices. Through his work in performance, pedagogy, scholarship, and community engagement, Ryan continues to be a transformative presence in the field of contemporary music education.