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. 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 Katherine Bergman, Kyle Brown, Robin Butler, Dominic Dousa, TJ Huggins, Ian Jones, Quinn Mason, Jacob Shay, Sonya Leonore Stahl, Allan Stephenson, and Lindsey Wiehl. Recent soloists have included Dr. Nathan Herfindahl (baritone), Dr. Stephen Carlson (piano), and Steve Zander (violin) — however, some of his favorite memories are when members of the orchestra are featured soloists. Upcoming collaborations include working with Brainerd’s Rusty Crayfish Brass Band and Legacy Chorale.

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. Additional ensembles he has coached or conducted include the Lawrence Youth Symphony, La Primavera Youth Orchestra, and Community Youth Orchestra of Southern California. In 2022 and 2024, Ryan received a fellowship to guest conduct Sinfonietta Memphis, a historically informed performance practice ensemble that specializes in music of the Classical period.

In addition to working with bands and orchestra, Ryan is comfortable in the opera pit. He served as Music Director for Northern Light Opera Company in Park Rapids from 2017-2024, where shows he music directed included South Pacific, My Fair Lady, The Drowsy Chaperone, Pippin, Hello, Dolly!, Little Shop of Horrors, and Chicago. 

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 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. 

Katrina Stewart is a long-time resident of Bemidji, having lived here since 1999. She graduated from Bemidji State University in 2013 with her Bachelors in K-12 Instrumental and Classroom Music Education and graduated with her Masters in Music Education, including a Kodály certification, in 2025.

Katrina enjoys teaching music to students of all age groups, having taught private lessons and in the classroom setting to students ranging from four to adults. She has taught in Clearbrook-Gonvick, Bemidji, and Blackduck schools for a total of 10 years in public education. She accepted a position at Bemidji Middle School where she will begin teaching this fall; she is very excited to serve the program where she began her band journey.

Katrina has played in the Bemidji Area Community Band and Bemidji Symphony Orchestra since 2011. Her primary instrument is flute, though generally in this ensemble you will find her in the back with the percussion section. She is honored and humbled to serve on the podium this season.

When she is not teaching, Katrina loves gardening and spending time with her husband, John, and her son, Samuel.