Biography
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Ryan Senger is an American classical pianist who ardently promotes the expansion of the pianistic canon. Through programming unheard masterpieces alongside contemporary compositions and standard repertoire favorites, he leaves his audiences with newfound wonder for the far corners of the piano’s expansive literature.
Senger maintains a busy performance schedule as a recitalist and collaborator in both his native midwest and abroad. Past engagements have seen him perform at the Brevnov Monastery in the Prague Piano Festival; Utrechts Conservatorium in the Netherlands; on the Steinway Piano Series in Tampa, Florida; and on Chicago’s classical radio station WFMT’s Bach Keyboard Festival—where he gave the performance of Bach’s relatively unknown Suite in G minor, BWV 822.
In 2022, Senger won the U.S. Regional OSAKA International Music Competition for piano. Additional awards and honors have included receiving the Steinway Young Artist Special Prize given at the 2019 Brancaleoni International Music Festival, receiving first prizes at the 2021 University of South Florida Piano Competition and the 2016 Kleinman Piano Competition.
Senger holds a Bachelor’s and Master's Degree from DePaul University, where he studied with George Vatchnadze, and a Master’s Degree from the University of South Florida, where he studied with Svetozar Ivanov. Active as an educator, improviser, and arranger, Senger serves on the faculty of the Musical Offering, in Evanston, as well as on the staff of the Chicago Waldorf School. Past positions have included serving on the keyboard faculty of the State College of Florida, Sarasota-Manatee, and as an instructor at the University of South Florida.
Currently based in Chicago, Illinois, Senger is a hobbyist woodworker and composer in his free time. He lives with his partner Alyssa, as well as his cat (and loyal teaching companion) Louis.