Ryan Webber joined the faculty of Bemidji State University in 2017 as adjunct professor of low brass, where he directs the Symphonic Band, Trombone Choir, and teaches Film & Music. He received a Bachelor of Music in Trombone from the University of California, Irvine, and a Master of Music in Trombone from the University of Kansas. Conducting studies have been completed with Dr. Mathias Elmer, Dr. Paul Popiel, and Dr. Kevin Sütterlin.

Ryan became Music Director of the Heartland Symphony in 2019. During his tenure, he has given world or state premiere performances of music by Robin Butler, Dominic Dousa, Ian Jones, Quinn Mason, Jacob Shay, Sonya Leonore Stahl, Allan Stephenson, and Lindsey Wiehl. Recent soloists have included Dr. Hilary Leonard (clarinet), Dr. Nathan Herfindahl (baritone), and Dr. Stephen Carlson (piano), while upcoming collaborations include working with Brainerd’s Rusty Crayfish Brass Band, and Steve Zander (violin). 

A committed educator, Ryan served as the BSU 11-12 Honor Band Conductor in 2024 and 2025, as well as a guest conductor with the Northern Valley Youth Orchestra in Grand Forks. In 2022 and 2024, Ryan received a fellowship to guest conduct Sinfonietta Memphis, one of the country’s leading historically informed performance practice ensembles.

In addition to working with bands and orchestra, Ryan is comfortable in the opera pit. He has served as Music Director for Northern Light Opera Company in Park Rapids, as well as shows for Bemidji State Opera. Productions he has conducted include South Pacific, My Fair Lady, The Drowsy Chaperone, Pippin, Hello, Dolly!, Little Shop of Horrors, Chicago, The Old Maid and the Thief, A Hand of Bridge, The Telephone, and Gallantry. 

When Ryan isn’t performing, he enjoys sharing his passion for music with students of all ages. He has given pre-concert lectures for the Minnesota and Indianapolis Symphony Orchestras and has written program notes for ensembles of all sizes, including releases for Naxos. Since January 2023, he has written album reviews and conducted interviews for Film Score Monthly, one of the leading journals in film music.

Ryan is a member of the International Conductor’s Guild, College Band Directors National Association, and Minnesota Band Directors Association. Outside of music, he enjoys running and biking on the beautiful trails by Lake Bemidji, trying new restaurants, and spending time with his wife Miriam and dog Chewie.