Ryan Adams (b. 1993) is an American composer based in Tallinn, Estonia. His work focuses on cultivating sound through an inner, visual experience of time and space. The visual quality found in his creations have been described as being “three dimensional”, and recreating the sensation felt when viewing a painting.
Ryan obtained a master’s degree in classical composition from the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre in 2024 under the guidance of Toivo Tulev and Helena Tulve. He has attended masterclasses with composers such as Eugene Birman, Frédéric Durieux, Tomi Räisänen, and Jukka Tiensuu. Ryan also holds a master’s degree in vocal performance from The Ohio State University, and a bachelor’s degree in vocal performance from Capital University.
His works have been performed by YXUS ensemble, ensemble Fractales, Ensemble Alekton, Avanti! Chamber Orchestra, and the EAMT Symphony Orchestra (conducted by Toomas Vavilov and Paul Mägi). Furthermore, his works have been performed by musicians such as Arvo Leibur, Talvi Hunt, Kristjan Kannukene and Annabel Soode. He was a commissioned composer for La société de Concerts de Montréal in 2017 and has been commissioned by M4GNET string quartet, and Tersett ehk 3⁄4 kvartett.
In 2024, Ryan was awarded second place in the Rudolf Tobiase heliloomingu konkursi for “Constellations” on a theme by Rudolf Tobias and the EMTAHK Competition for Sentimental Densities. During the same year, Kolm Sünnipäevamängu was selected as the winning orchestral work for the celebration of the 105th anniversary of the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre. Furthermore, his work emrof enilisüüf earned him a place among the finalists for the Morton Gould Young Composer Award in the United States in 2023.
Ryan is also an active tenor soloist and ensemble musician. His experiences as a vocalist have given many perspectives and new impetus to his creative work by fostering his understanding of creation through the work of other composers. He has performed at Eesti Muusika Päevad, the Haapsalu vanamuusika festival, the Oregon Bach Festival, and with the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir; he is currently engaged with the vocal ensemble Vox Clamantis.