Dr. Ryan Gardner is Professor of Trumpet at the University of Colorado Boulder and leads one of the most visible and distinguished trumpet programs in the United States. Originally from Santa Monica, California, he earned his Bachelor of Music with highest distinction from the Eastman School of Music, his Master of Music from Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music, and his Doctor of Musical Arts from the Manhattan School of Music. While in New York City, he studied with Mark Gould, former principal trumpet of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, and Vincent Penzarella, former second trumpet of the New York Philharmonic. Dr. Gardner’s doctoral thesis examines Penzarella’s pedagogical philosophies, including innovative approaches to breathing, air usage, brass technique, and performance psychology.
Dr. Gardner has taught for more than a decade. Prior to his appointment at CU Boulder, he served on the faculty at Oklahoma State University, where he received numerous honors, including the Board of Regents Distinguished Teaching Award, the Wise-Diggs-Berry Award for Scholarly Excellence, the Distinguished Professor of Music Award, and the Junior Faculty Award. He also taught for three years at the University of Arkansas–Fort Smith.
Under Dr. Gardner’s leadership, his students have achieved extraordinary success at the National Trumpet Competition, winning every collegiate division within the past ten years. These include three Undergraduate Solo Division titles, four Graduate Solo Division titles, the Military Band Division, and eight Ensemble Division championships, along with 33 total placements. His students have also earned first prizes at International Trumpet Guild Conferences, Music Teachers National Association competitions, and the International Women’s Brass Conference, with additional success at the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition and the Roger Voisin Memorial Competition. Graduates of his studio continue on to prestigious graduate programs, professional performing careers, and prominent teaching positions.
An active orchestral performer, Dr. Gardner has appeared with prestigious ensembles including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Colorado Symphony, Kansas City Symphony, New World Symphony, Rochester Philharmonic, and Verbier Festival Orchestra under James Levine. He has performed in renowned venues such as Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully Hall, Avery Fisher Hall, and the Palau de la Música Catalana in Barcelona. He also served as principal trumpet with the Distinguished Concerts International Orchestra in New York City for more than a decade.
Dr. Gardner is also a dedicated chamber musician and soloist, performing with groups such as the Colorado Brass Quintet, Eastman Brass Quintet, Seventh Partial Brass Quintet, and new music ensembles Alarm Will Sound and Crash Ensemble. His recordings appear on the Soundset, Naxos, Mark Records, and BX Entertainment labels. A Yamaha performing artist, his albums On Track, Sempiternal Songs, and New American Treasures have received critical acclaim.
Dr. Gardner is Past President of the International Trumpet Guild and serves as Artistic Director for Music for Autism, advocating nationally for individuals with autism through musical programming. He remains deeply grateful to his primary teachers: Vincent Penzarella, Mark Gould, Marie Speziale, James Thompson, Boyde Hood, and Paul Salvo.