Ryan is St. Timothy's Interim Choir Director and an Associate Professor of Musicology at Bowling Green State University. He has been singing in choirs for close to thirty years, and in Episcopal churches for two decades. His musicological research centers on American opera and he has been published in numerous publications including the New York Times and The New Yorker. He is also a member of the newly-formed Northwest Ohio Vocal Arts Ensemble.

He shares a home with his wife, daughter, son, and large fluffy dog.