Ryan Keebaugh is the Director of Choral Music and Associate Professor of Music at Bridgewater College. Hailed by The Washington Post as an “energetic, expressive, concise, insightful, and sensitive” conductor, Ryan is widely recognized for his vibrant and versatile musicianship. His expertise spans all age groups—from young children and emerging choirs to university, community, and professional ensembles—establishing him as a leading music educator, guest conductor, and clinician across the United States.
A passionate and inspiring teacher, Ryan is a sought-after workshop clinician, conference presenter, and adjudicator. He has led masterclasses and workshops both nationally and internationally. His collaborative work with contemporary American composers highlights his commitment to interdisciplinary artistry, alternative performance venues, and the commissioning of new works.
Ryan’s ensembles have performed at prestigious venues and events including Radio City Music Hall, The Washington National Cathedral, St. John the Divine, New York University Steinhardt, The Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall, and the cathedrals of Canterbury and Edinburgh. In addition to his conducting and teaching roles, he serves on the Virginia Music Educators Association (VMEA) Creativity Council, Co-Director of the VMEA Composition Festival, and has served as President-Elect of The College Music Society’s Mid-Atlantic Chapter.
Beyond the concert hall, Ryan has maintained an active presence in the marching arts. He has composed and arranged for championship high school bands in BOA, TOB, and USSBA circuits. A former performer with Carolina Crown and The Cadets, he continues to consult with several DCI World Class drum and bugle corps.
As a composer, Ryan’s “innovative and hauntingly beautiful” music has earned him recognition as a leading voice of his generation. Praised for its “gorgeous canvases of sacred minimalism,” his work has been performed across the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico, Europe, Japan, Brazil, and Russia. His compositions have been commissioned, performed, choreographed, and recorded by ensembles and soloists such as The National Cathedral Choir, The Megan Flynn Dance Company, Ting-Yu Chen, Stephanie Lamprea, R. Andrew Lee, Megan Ihnen, Musica Harmonia, and the Great Noise Ensemble, among many others.
He has participated in festivals and residencies including the Tutti Music Festival, Aspen Composers’ Conference, Capital Fringe Festival, Interlochen Summer Music Festival, Wildacres Artist Colony, Factory 449 Theatre Collective, and Composers & Schools in Concert (CSIC). His work has received accolades from The College Music Society, Society of Composers, American Choral Directors Association, Analog Arts, ASCAP, the American Prize, the Raabe Music Prize, and is published by MusicSpoke, Inc.
Originally from Martinsburg, Pennsylvania, Ryan holds degrees from The Catholic University of America (DMA), Shenandoah Conservatory (MM), and Bridgewater College (BA)
A passionate and inspiring teacher, Ryan is a sought-after workshop clinician, conference presenter, and adjudicator. He has led masterclasses and workshops both nationally and internationally. His collaborative work with contemporary American composers highlights his commitment to interdisciplinary artistry, alternative performance venues, and the commissioning of new works.
Ryan’s ensembles have performed at prestigious venues and events including Radio City Music Hall, The Washington National Cathedral, St. John the Divine, New York University Steinhardt, The Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall, and the cathedrals of Canterbury and Edinburgh. In addition to his conducting and teaching roles, he serves on the Virginia Music Educators Association (VMEA) Creativity Council, Co-Director of the VMEA Composition Festival, and has served as President-Elect of The College Music Society’s Mid-Atlantic Chapter.
Beyond the concert hall, Ryan has maintained an active presence in the marching arts. He has composed and arranged for championship high school bands in BOA, TOB, and USSBA circuits. A former performer with Carolina Crown and The Cadets, he continues to consult with several DCI World Class drum and bugle corps.
As a composer, Ryan’s “innovative and hauntingly beautiful” music has earned him recognition as a leading voice of his generation. Praised for its “gorgeous canvases of sacred minimalism,” his work has been performed across the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico, Europe, Japan, Brazil, and Russia. His compositions have been commissioned, performed, choreographed, and recorded by ensembles and soloists such as The National Cathedral Choir, The Megan Flynn Dance Company, Ting-Yu Chen, Stephanie Lamprea, R. Andrew Lee, Megan Ihnen, Musica Harmonia, and the Great Noise Ensemble, among many others.
He has participated in festivals and residencies including the Tutti Music Festival, Aspen Composers’ Conference, Capital Fringe Festival, Interlochen Summer Music Festival, Wildacres Artist Colony, Factory 449 Theatre Collective, and Composers & Schools in Concert (CSIC). His work has received accolades from The College Music Society, Society of Composers, American Choral Directors Association, Analog Arts, ASCAP, the American Prize, the Raabe Music Prize, and is published by MusicSpoke, Inc.
Originally from Martinsburg, Pennsylvania, Ryan holds degrees from The Catholic University of America (DMA), Shenandoah Conservatory (MM), and Bridgewater College (BA)
