Dr. Ryan Pearson is a percussionist and educator dedicated to the exploration and creation of exciting, diverse, and artistic percussion music.

A prolific performer, Ryan has played throughout the continental United States and Europe, including tours through Florence, Rome, London, and Amsterdam. As a Heartland Marimba Artist, he has toured throughout the U.S. performing numerous world premieres, collaborating with a diverse group of composers, and advancing the classical marimba art form. Ryan was a featured xylophone soloist with the Heartland Marimba Ensemble on their “Vivid Horizons Tour'' in 2022. He was also a member of the International Marimba Orchestra for their tour in 2021.

Ryan is a passionate collaborator, working directly with composers such as Jenni Brandon, Cassie Wieland, and Andrew Rodriguez. He performs regularly with the Hays Symphony Orchestra, the Lawrence Community Orchestra, and is a former member of the Champaign-Urbana Symphony and Sinfonia da Camera. Ryan was a Semi-Finalist in the Southern California International Marimba Competition, the Naftzger Young Artist Competition, and the Great Plains International Marimba Competition.

Ryan is the Assistant Professor of Percussion and Assistant Director of Bands at Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas. He teaches private lessons, directs the Percussion Ensemble, the Marching Tigers Drumline, and the FHSU Jazz Ensembles.

Ryan earned his Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the University of Kansas under Dr. Michael Compitello. He earned his MM degree at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign studying under William Moersch and Ricardo Flores and his BM at Iowa State University studying under Dr. Matthew Coley and Dr. Jonathan Sharp.

Ryan is a proud Marimba One and JG Percussion Artist.