The School of Music at Georgia State proudly announces the appointment of Andrew Ryker as the newest Lecturer in Voice. With a distinguished career spanning voice teaching, musical direction and stage direction, Ryker brings a wealth of expertise and experience to the university's esteemed faculty.
Ryker's impact on the world of opera and musical theatre education is substantial, with recent voice and opera students gracing stages across the nation, from prestigious venues like the Metropolitan Opera to the San Francisco Opera. Notably, he has mentored award winners in Metropolitan Opera competitions and over 50 winners at NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing), solidifying his reputation as a top-tier educator.
"We are thrilled to welcome Andrew Ryker to the Georgia State University faculty," said Dr. Chester Phillips, Director of the School of Music. "His outstanding track record in nurturing talent and extensive experience in directing opera and musical theatre productions will greatly enrich our students' educational experience."
Throughout his career, Ryker has held the position of Director of Opera at prestigious institutions such as Ohio University and Capital University. Overseeing more than 40 productions for various opera companies nationwide, including Opéra Louisiane, Des Moines Metro Opera and Boston Opera Collaborative, Ryker's contributions to the opera world have garnered numerous accolades. Notably, his achievements include receiving the Elliot Norton Award, a Cloris Award, a Cincinnati SongSlam Award and a Goldowsky Directing Fellowship. Additionally, his production of Britten's Curlew River was honored as Boston's "Best Staged Opera of the Year" by The Boston Phoenix.
In addition to his directing experience, Ryker boasts a diverse background onstage, portraying a range of memorable operatic roles. His repertoire includes iconic characters such as Papageno in Mozart's "The Magic Flute," Don Alfonso in "Cosi fan tutte" and the Count in "The Marriage of Figaro." He has also excelled in roles such as Silvio in Leoncavallo's "Pagliacci," Belcore in Donizetti's "L'elisir d'amore," and Marco in Puccini's "Gianni Schicchi." Ryker's versatility extends to operettas, where he has portrayed characters like St. Brioche in Lehár's "The Merry Widow" and Strephon in Gilbert and Sullivan's "Iolanthe." Additionally, he has showcased his talents in contemporary works, including portraying John Brooke in Adamo's "Little Women" and the lead role in the US premiere of Dvorak's "Kral a Uhlir."
Ryker's oratorio credits include performances of Bach's Johannes Passion, Durufle’s Requiem, Faure’s Requiem and Handel’s Messiah, with appearances alongside renowned ensembles such as the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Boston Pops. Noteworthy recent highlights in his career include starring in productions such as "Parade" with StageWest, captivating audiences with a solo cabaret at Noce jazz club and delivering a powerful performance in "Messiah" at the Church of the Good Shepherd. Additionally, Ryker has showcased his vocal talents in master classes led by esteemed mentors such as Warren Jones, Pierre Vallet, Vinson Cole and Alan Held.
"I am honored to join the fantastic faculty at Georgia State University," said Ryker. "I am excited to work with the talented students here and contribute to their growth as musicians and performers."
Ryker earned his master's degree in Vocal Performance from the New England Conservatory, where he studied under William Cotten and John Moriarty, graduating with Academic Honors. He is an alumnus of Millikin University, having studied with Kathryn Hartgrove. Ryker and his husband currently reside in Columbus, Ohio, with their two dogs.