Music For Everyone Call Us: 303.543.3777 Open Hours: Mon – Thurs. – 2:00 pm to 9:00 pm / Sunday – 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Music For Everyone Call Us: 303.543.3777 Open Hours: Mon – Thurs. – 2:00 pm to 9:00 pm / Sunday – 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm
In 2013, I accomplished a Fine Arts degree in Music from STLCC and then went on to complete undergrad studies at the University of Missouri St. Louis, finishing a Bachelors Degree in Music Composition with a minor in Jazz. While attending UMSL, I studied with internationally acclaimed professors including Alla Voskoboynikova for Classical piano, Barbara Harbach for Composition, and Ken Kehner for Jazz piano. I was recognized with top honors in the class of 2018 receiving a Distinguished Performance in Keyboard award and the Outstanding Music Composition award from the UMSL Music Department, as well as being a member of the Honors Society and Deans List. While attending school I also performed and participated in the Concert choir & Jazz Ensembles.
Alongside school, I have performed and toured around the country with a multitude of rock bands including the Jackson Stokes Band (opening for the Allman Betts Band world tour), The Schwag (Grateful Dead tribute band), and Brother Francis & the Soultones (original Soul/Funk/Rock) along with many other groups and ensembles. I have also led my own groups: the Ryan Benthall Trio, SpaceShip, & Supalight which have gone on to perform at a multitude of Music festivals.
I like to find the music that each student connects with individually, and create achievable goals that work towards their interests. We work on the technique of the instrument to develop a rounded understanding of the mechanics, then move on to develop meaningful connections with the various elements of music such as dynamics, articulation, form & phrasing. I strive to create a fun environment where students feel like they can be themselves and help them aspire to be the best musicians they can be.
When practicing, I like to take my time to research a bit into the history of where the music came from. For instance, if I am learning a new piece then I attempt to find books that tell about the life of the composer, the culture that helped produce their work, and what kinds of styles around them influenced the kind of music they wrote. I believe it is a significant part of the growth of a musician to understand the circumstances that created the music that they are aspiring to perform.
"Art should teach spirituality by showing a person a portion of himself that he would not discover otherwise." - Bill Evans
My love for music began as a kid, playing with friends in several rock bands while growing up, hopping onto multiple instruments and creating original music inspired by our favorite artists. My passion developed throughout my teenage years as I began regularly performing venues in and around the downtown St. Louis region, beginning at underground venues like the Red Sea, Blueberry Hill, and Ciceros. It was when I went into college that the decision was made to make music my primary focus as a career. In 2012, I began working as a private music teacher and found a love for teaching music that has only grown throughout the past decade.
THE LESSON STUDIO BOULDER MUSIC LESSONS