Ryan Kozak

​Ryan Kozak began playing violin at the age of 4 following his family’s return from their stay in Stuttgart, Germany. Just five years later, he was accepted into the York Junior Symphony Orchestra as the youngest member admitted at that time. Since then, he has played in orchestras across the United States, Bulgaria and Hungary. In October of 2010, Ryan made his debut at Zankel Hall at Carnegie. The following year, he premiered a series of works in Vienna for chamber ensembles by composer Seong-Heon Lee.  As a conductor, Ryan has covered various genres including opera, musicals, chamber and symphonic works. He has had the opportunity to study and participate in workshops in many countries including Austria, Bulgaria, Germany, Italy and the United States, which has included masterclasses with Ze’ev Dorman, Dian Tchobanov, Markand Thakar and Brett Mitchell. While studying in Vienna during the Fall of 2011, Ryan had the opportunity to work with Wolfgang Harrer, the founder of the Austrian-Turkmenistan Symphony Orchestra. As well, he  served as the Assistant Conductor of the Gettysburg College Symphony Orchestra for 6 seasons under Alexander Kahn. During the Fall of 2012, he worked with members of Harmonious Blacksmith in preparation for the first ever student-run opera performance at the Sunderman Conservatory. Serving as Music Director, he conducted a performance of Henry Purcell’s opera Dido and Aeneas.  An active violinist and violist, Ryan currently plays with ensembles across the MidAtlantic area, as well as having a private studio of students. He is also the newest member of both Cormorant’s Fancy and Dearest Home as their fiddle player, performing music of Irish and Appalachian/Civil War era music.  Ryan attended the Sunderman Conservatory at Gettysburg College where he received a Bachelor of Music in Performance degree as well as a minor in Political Science from the Eisenhower Institute. He has also received his Master of Music degree in Conducting at the Lamont School of Music under the tutelage of Dr. Lawrence Golan.