Hi, I’m Sean Ryan—a skilled professional music educator, composer, conductor, and audio engineer with more than 20 years of experience in public and private schools. I provide comprehensive individual and group music instruction for students of all ages, with strengths in instrumental music, ensemble rehearsal, music theory, composition, and music technology. Beyond the classroom, I work as a composer and sound designer for video games and multimedia projects, co-found Soundspring Studio, and lead community music initiatives like HVCAMP. I hold a Master of Arts in Music Scoring and Composition and a K-12 teaching certification, and I am passionate about mentoring musicians and integrating technology to enhance learning and performance.…

Sean Ryan

PRO

Hi, I’m Sean Ryan—a skilled professional music educator, composer, conductor, and audio engineer with more than 20 years of experience in public and private schools. I provide comprehensive individual and group music instruction for students of all ages, with strengths in instrumental music, ensemble rehearsal, music theory, composition, and music technology. Beyond the classroom, I work as a composer and sound designer for video games and multimedia projects, co-found Soundspring Studio, and lead community music initiatives like HVCAMP. I hold a Master of Arts in Music Scoring and Composition and a K-12 teaching certification, and I am passionate about mentoring musicians and integrating technology to enhance learning and performance.…

Available to hire

Hi, I’m Sean Ryan—a skilled professional music educator, composer, conductor, and audio engineer with more than 20 years of experience in public and private schools. I provide comprehensive individual and group music instruction for students of all ages, with strengths in instrumental music, ensemble rehearsal, music theory, composition, and music technology.

Beyond the classroom, I work as a composer and sound designer for video games and multimedia projects, co-found Soundspring Studio, and lead community music initiatives like HVCAMP. I hold a Master of Arts in Music Scoring and Composition and a K-12 teaching certification, and I am passionate about mentoring musicians and integrating technology to enhance learning and performance.

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Composer and Sound Designer at Autonomous Odyssey
January 1, 2021 - Present
Create music and sound design for the video game Autonomous Odyssey; manage audio assets, implement audio in collaboration with developers, and contribute to overall game soundscape.
Mixing and Mastering Engineer at Jack Furlong Quartet
January 1, 2018 - Present
Mix and master ensemble recordings; apply audio processing and ensure high-quality stereo/imaging for performances and recordings.
Sound Designer and Composer at Christos Perchanidis
January 1, 2018 - Present
Sound design and composition for projects; collaborate with game/ media developers to create immersive audio experiences.
Co-Founder, Conductor and Artistic Director at Hopewell Valley Community Associated Music Projects (HVCAMP)
January 1, 2017 - Present
Conductor and artistic director for multiple ensembles; guide artistic direction and community music initiatives; advise the board and manage programming.
Co-Founder, Composer and Sound Designer at Soundspring Studio, LLP
January 1, 2013 - Present
Co-found and produce music for TV, film, video games, advertisements; compose, arrange, and design sound for diverse media projects.
Conductor and Artistic Director at Glen Rock Pops
January 1, 2016 - September 22, 2025
Rehearse and lead a community ensemble; organize concerts, audition musicians, program diverse repertoire, and grow the ensemble.
Director of Orchestras at Morristown School District
January 1, 2008 - September 22, 2025
Directed 6th–8th grade orchestras; taught music appreciation; formed String Ensemble and led orchestral programming.
Director of Orchestras at Ridgewood School District
January 1, 2007 - September 22, 2025
Directed high school orchestra and Chamber String Ensemble; oversaw auditions and program development.
Assistant Marching Band Director at Hackensack High School
January 1, 2006 - September 22, 2025
Shared direction and sound coordination for the marching band; contributed to competitive performances.
Music Instructor at Private Music Instructor
January 1, 2002 - Present
Provide private instrumental instruction (violin/viola/cello) and support jury preparation for students.
Chairperson of Band and Orchestra Instrument Studies at Music Notes Academy
January 1, 2009 - Present
Lead wind instrument studies; established the Music Notes Academy String Quartet; managed program development and student ensembles.
Assistant Middle School Orchestra Director at The Hun School of Princeton
January 1, 2020 - September 22, 2025
Coached middle school orchestra members; prepared ensembles to perform with the larger school orchestra.
Senior Adjunct Professor of Aural Skills at Rowan College of Burlington County
January 1, 2021 - Present
Lectured in Aural Perception I/II and Music Fundamentals; administered dictation, sight-singing, and theoretical coursework; advised on student juries and performances.
Guest Lecturer at Kutztown University
January 1, 2020 - Present
Guest lecturer covering the current state of the music business; coordinated with music business faculty.
Guest Lecturer at Rowan College of Burlington County
January 1, 2018 - September 22, 2025
Ear training instruction; coordinated with department faculty and curriculum.
Senior Adjunct Professor of Aural Skills at Rowan College of Burlington County
January 1, 2021 - Present
Lecturer of Aural Perception I (MUS-110) and Aural Skills II (MUS-210); administered rhythm, melody, intervallic, and harmonic dictation and sight singing; Lecturer of Music Fundamentals (MUS-105); professor of private applied strings (violin, viola, cello) in preparation for juries.
Guest Lecturer at Kutztown University
January 1, 2020 - Present
A survey on the current state of the music business; coordination with Jack Furlong, Professor of Music Business.
Assistant Middle School Orchestra Director at The Hun School of Princeton
January 1, 2020 - September 22, 2025
Coached students on band and orchestra instruments in a small-group setting to perform with the orchestra.
Chairperson of Band and Orchestra Instrument Studies at Music Notes Academy
January 1, 2009 - Present
Led wind instrument studies; established the Music Notes Academy String Quartet as part of the Tied Notes© program; NJ Small Business Development Center recognition in 2012.
Director of Orchestras, Frelinghuysen Middle School at Morristown School District
January 1, 2008 - September 22, 2025
Directed 6th–8th grade orchestras; taught 7th grade music appreciation; formed a String Ensemble '21' and mentored students for county, regional, and all-state orchestras.
Director of Orchestras, Ridgewood High School at Ridgewood School District
January 1, 2007 - September 22, 2025
Directed the High School Symphony Orchestra and Chamber String Ensemble; supported performances and repertoire.
Conductor and Artistic Director at Glen Rock Pops
January 1, 2016 - September 22, 2025
Rehearsed and performed with a community ensemble; expanded size and musicianship; curated a diverse repertoire.
Assistant Marching Band Director at Hackensack High School
January 1, 2006 - September 22, 2025
Assisted in directing the marching band and served as Sound Tech; contributed to competitions.
Private Music Instructor at South Brunswick (Private Studio)
January 1, 2002 - Present
Private instruction in violin, viola, and cello across NJ; focus on technique and performance.
Co-Founder, Conductor and Artistic Director at Hopewell Valley Community Associated Music Projects (HVCAMP)
January 1, 2017 - Present
Conductor and artistic director of the Hopewell Valley Pops, Youth Orchestra, and Collaborative Band; coordinates artistic advisory committees; 501(c)(3) nonprofit status.
Co-Founder, Composer and Sound Designer at Soundspring Studio, LLP
January 1, 2013 - Present
Co-founded studio providing composition and sound design for TV, film, video games, advertisements, and performances; manages projects and production.
Composer and Sound Designer at Autonomous Odyssey (Video Game)
January 1, 2021 - Present
Composed and designed sound for the video game Autonomous Odyssey; collaborates with game leads and artists; asset organization and timelines.
Composer/Sound Designer at GobLine
January 1, 2025 - Present
Wrote and sequenced music and sound for the game GobLine; winner of itch.io 2025 Summer Game Jam.
Mixing and Mastering Engineer at Jack Furlong Quartet
January 1, 2018 - Present
Mixing and mastering engineer for the Jack Furlong Quartet; coordinates recording sessions and produces masters.
Sound Designer and Composer at Christos Perchanidis (Game Developer)
January 1, 2018 - Present
Sound designer and composer for video game projects with Greek developer Christos Perchanidis; ongoing collaboration since 2018.
Senior Adjunct Professor of Aural Skills at Rowan College of Burlington County
January 1, 2021 - Present
Lecturer of Aural Perception I (MUS-110) and Aural Skills II (MUS-210); Administered rhythm, melody, intervallic, and harmonic dictation; sight singing; Lecturer of Music Fundamentals (MUS-105); private applied strings instruction for juries.
Guest Lecturer at Kutztown University
January 1, 2020 - Present
Survey on the current state of the music business; coordination with Jack Furlong on music business.
Assistant Middle School Orchestra Director at The Hun School of Princeton
January 1, 2020 - September 22, 2025
Coached students on band and orchestra instruments in small group settings to perform with the rest of the orchestra.
Chairperson of Band and Orchestra Instrument Studies at Music Notes Academy
January 1, 2009 - Present
Led wind instrument studies; established Music Notes Academy String Quartet; recognized for Small Business Development Center award; relocated to East Brunswick; oversaw Tied Notes program.
Director of Orchestras at Frelinghuysen Middle School, Morristown, NJ
January 1, 2008 - September 22, 2025
Directed 6th-8th grade orchestras; taught 7th grade music appreciation; formed a String Ensemble; students placed in county, regional and all-state orchestras.
Director of Orchestras at Ridgewood High School, Ridgewood, NJ
January 1, 2007 - September 22, 2025
Directed the High School Symphony Orchestra and the Chamber String Ensemble.
Assistant Marching Band Director at Hackensack High School, Hackensack, NJ
January 1, 2006 - September 22, 2025
Assisted direction and sound tech of the High School Marching Band; competitive placements.
Conductor and Artistic Director at Glen Rock Pops
January 1, 2016 - September 22, 2025
Rehearsed and performed with an ensemble of varied ages; expanded size and musicianship; programmed diverse repertoire.
Composer/Sound Designer at Soundspring Studio, LLP
January 1, 2013 - Present
Co-founded studio; wrote, produced and designed music and sound for TV, film, video games and live performances; collaborated with other audio professionals.
Conductor and Artistic Director; Co-Founder at Hopewell Valley Community Associated Music Projects (HVCAMP)
January 1, 2017 - Present
Conductor and Artistic Director of the Hopewell Valley Pops, Hopewell Valley Youth Orchestra, and Hopewell Valley Collaborative Band; serves on artistic advisory committees.
Composer and Sound Designer at Autonomous Odyssey
January 1, 2021 - Present
Composer and Sound Designer for the video game Autonomous Odyssey; collaborating with visual effects artists; organized data in Trello; weekly sound design meetings.
Mixing and Mastering Engineer at Jack Furlong Quartet
January 1, 2018 - Present
Mixing and mastering engineer for the album Opportunity; working with Jack Furlong Quartet.
Composer/Sound Designer at GobLine
January 1, 2025 - September 22, 2025
Wrote and sequenced music and sound for the video game GobLine; winner of the itch.io 2025 Summer Game Jam.
Senior Adjunct Professor of Aural Skills at Rowan College of Burlington County
January 1, 2021 - Present
Lecturer of Aural Perception I & II and Music Fundamentals; administered rhythm, melody, intervallic and harmonic dictation and sight-singing exercises; supervised private string instruction in preparation for juries and performances.
Guest Lecturer at Kutztown University
January 1, 2020 - Present
Gave a survey on the current state of the music business; coordinated with Jack Furlong, Professor of Music Business.
Assistant Middle School Orchestra Director at The Hun School of Princeton
December 31, 2020 - September 22, 2025
Coached students on band and orchestra instruments in a small-group setting to perform with the full orchestra.
Private Music Instructor at Self-employed / Private
January 1, 2002 - Present
Private lessons in violin, viola, cello, and music theory for students of varying ages.
Chairperson of Band and Orchestra Instrument Studies at Music Notes Academy
January 1, 2009 - Present
Led wind instrument studies; established the Music Notes Academy String Quartet as part of the Tied Notes program; earned Small Business Award recognition.
Director of Orchestras at Frelinghuysen Middle School, Morristown School District
December 31, 2008 - September 22, 2025
Directed 6th-8th grade orchestras; taught music appreciation; formed a String Ensemble; guided students to county/regional/all-state orchestras.
Director of Orchestras at Ridgewood High School
December 31, 2007 - September 22, 2025
Directed the High School Symphony Orchestra and Chamber String Ensemble; conducted auditions and programming.
Assistant Marching Band Director at Hackensack High School
December 31, 2006 - September 22, 2025
Directed and supported marching band activities; provided sound tech oversight.
Conductor and Artistic Director at Glen Rock Pops
December 31, 2016 - September 22, 2025
Rehearsed and performed with a community Pops orchestra; oversaw auditions, programming, and growth of the ensemble.
Composer and Sound Designer at Autonomous Odyssey
January 1, 2021 - Present
Wrote and sequenced music and sound design for the video game; collaborated with visual effects artists and game leads.
Co-Founder, Conductor and Artistic Director at Hopewell Valley Community Associated Music Projects (HVCAMP)
January 1, 2017 - Present
Conductor and artistic director of the Hopewell Valley Pops, Hopewell Valley Youth Orchestra, and Hopewell Valley Collaborative Band; serves on artistic advisory committees.
Co-Founder, Composer/Sound Designer at Soundspring Studio, LLP
January 1, 2013 - Present
Wrote, mixed and produced music for TV, film, video games, advertisements, and live performances; collaborated with audio engineers and game developers.
Composer/Sound Designer at GobLine
January 1, 2025 - Present
Writing and sequencing music and sound for the game GobLine; winner of the itch.io 2025 Summer Game Jam.
Senior Adjunct Professor of Music Fundamentals, Aural Skills and Strings at Rowan College of Burlington County
January 1, 2021 - Present
Lecturer of Aural Perception I (MUS-110) and Aural Skills II (MUS-210); Administered Rhythm, Melody, Intervallic, and Harmonic dictation as well as sight singing exercises used to supplement students’ musical abilities. Professor of Music Fundamentals (MUS-105). Private applied strings instruction.
Assistant Middle School Orchestra Director at The Hun School of Princeton
January 1, 2019 - December 31, 2020
Working closely with the Middle School Orchestra Director to coach students on band and orchestra instruments in a small group setting to play with the rest of the orchestra.
Director of Orchestras at Frelinghuysen Middle School, Morristown
January 1, 2007 - December 31, 2008
Directed 6th-8th grade orchestras; taught 7th grade music appreciation; formed a String Ensemble called '21'.
Director of Orchestras at Ridgewood High School
January 1, 2006 - December 31, 2007
Directed the High School Symphony Orchestra and Chamber String Ensemble.
Private music instructor at Self-employed / Music Notes Academy
January 1, 2002 - Present
Private lessons in violin, viola, and cello; ensemble coaching and program development across multiple counties.
Composer and Sound Designer at Sun Oracle Games
January 1, 2021 - Present
Writing and sequencing music and sound for video games; collaboration with visual effects; project management via Trello and related tools; weekly stand-ups.
Conductor and Artistic Director at Glen Rock Pops
January 1, 2006 - December 31, 2016
Rehearsed and performed with a diverse ensemble; oversaw auditions, programming, and growth of the orchestra (2006-2016).
Director of Orchestras at Morristown School District (Frelinghuysen Middle School)
January 1, 2007 - January 1, 2008
Directed 6th–8th grade orchestras and taught music appreciation; formed a String Ensemble '21' and mentored students advancing to county, regional and all-state levels.
Director of Orchestras at Ridgewood School District (Ridgewood High School)
January 1, 2007 - January 1, 2007
Directed the High School Symphony Orchestra and the Chamber String Ensemble; oversaw repertoire and performance preparation.
Director of Orchestras at Frelinghuysen Middle School
January 1, 2007 - January 1, 2008
Directed 6th–8th grade orchestras; taught music appreciation; formed a String Ensemble; prep for county/regional/all-state orchestras.
Private Music Instructor at Self-employed / Private practice
January 1, 2002 - Present
Private instruction in violin, viola, cello, and music theory; ongoing since 2002.

Education

Master of Arts in Music Scoring and Composition at Academy of Art University
January 1, 2016 - January 1, 2018
Bachelor of Music in Music Education at The College of New Jersey
January 1, 2002 - January 1, 2006
High School Diploma at Paramus High School
January 1, 1998 - January 1, 2002
Master of Arts in Music Scoring and Composition at Academy of Art University
January 1, 2016 - January 1, 2018
Bachelor of Music in Music Education, Certified K-12 at The College of New Jersey
January 1, 2002 - January 1, 2006
High School Diploma at Paramus High School
January 1, 1998 - January 1, 2002
Master of Arts in Music Scoring and Composition at Academy of Art University, San Francisco, CA
January 1, 2016 - January 1, 2018
Bachelor of Music in Music Education, Certified K-12 at The College of New Jersey, Ewing, NJ
January 1, 2002 - January 1, 2006
High School Diploma at Paramus High School, Paramus, NJ
January 1, 1998 - January 1, 2002
Master of Arts at Academy of Art University
January 1, 2016 - January 1, 2018
Bachelor of Music at The College of New Jersey
January 1, 2002 - January 1, 2006
High School Diploma at Paramus High School
January 1, 1998 - January 1, 2002
Master of Arts in Music Scoring and Composition at Academy of Art University
January 1, 2016 - January 1, 2018
Bachelor of Music in Music Education at The College of New Jersey
January 1, 2002 - January 1, 2006
Master of Arts in Music Scoring and Composition at Academy of Art University
January 1, 2016 - January 1, 2018
Bachelor of Music in Music Education at The College of New Jersey
January 1, 2002 - January 1, 2006
Master of Arts in Music Scoring and Composition at Academy of Art University
January 1, 2016 - January 1, 2018
Bachelor of Music in Music Education, Certified K-12 at The College of New Jersey
January 1, 2002 - January 1, 2006

Qualifications

Certified Teacher of Music New Jersey K-12
January 1, 2006 - September 22, 2025
Certified Teacher of Music, New Jersey K-12
January 1, 2006 - September 22, 2025
Small Business Development Centers Small Business Award
January 1, 2012 - September 22, 2025
Certified Teacher of Music - K-12 (New Jersey)
January 11, 2030 - September 22, 2025
K-12 Music Teacher Certification (New Jersey)
January 1, 2006 - September 22, 2025
K-12 Certified Teacher of Music (New Jersey)
January 1, 2006 - February 12, 2026
Certified K-12 Teacher of Music, New Jersey
January 11, 2030 - February 12, 2026
Certified K-12 Music Education
January 11, 2030 - February 12, 2026

Industry Experience

Education, Media & Entertainment, Professional Services, Software & Internet, Gaming, Non-Profit Organization
    paper Autonomous Odyssey - Game

    Pim is a 9 year old boy trapped in a robot’s body who needs to find out what happened to his Dad the lead scientist of Prometheus Labs. Join him on this metroid-vania type quest as he navigates obstacles and zombie robot enemies to reach his goal!

    paper GobLine the game

    Winner of the 2025 itch.io Summer Game Jam! Join Gob the goblin on a journey to reclaim their home against dangerous bandits with the help of the magic pencil!

    paper Graduate Degree Demo Reel

    Graduate Demo Reel for my MA in music scoring and composition from Academy of Art University.