Guitar
Tom Ryan has been playing guitar for most of his life, going back to the early 1970s, self-taught with the help of his two older brothers. He performs around Chicago in various configurations, including playing bass for the Phil Angotti Band. Singing and playing, and having fun with others is at the core of what he brings to any musical endeavor.
Tom came to the School in 2003 as a student, playing acoustic guitar and bass in ensemble classes. Recruited in 2007, he started teaching on a regular basis in 2008. Tom teaches core group guitar classes, encouraging beginning and intermediate students to have fun and to sing while they are learning new chords and songs. Acoustic song styles include The Beatles, Tom Petty, Gram Parsons, The Byrds, Jackson Browne, James Taylor, Cat Stevens, and Bob Dylan. Tom also teaches ensemble classes occasionally (Beatles Ensemble, Neil Young, Byrds, etc.).
Tom's 2019 album For Years is available in various formats using this link: https://smarturl.it/ForYears.
Education: BA, North Central College
Started at the Old Town School in January of 2008
