Ryan Main (B.M., University of Missouri - Kansas City), composer and conductor, began his composition career in 2003 at the University of Missouri, Kansas City's Conservatory of Music under Dr. James Mobberley. Main has also studied composition with renowned composers: Narong Prangcharoen, Michael Hersch, Dr. Kevin Puts, Dr. Mara Gibson and Dr. Chen Yi. He has also studied conducting with Dr. Joseph Parisi, Dr. Harlan Parker and Dr. Sarah McKoin. Notable performances include a performance by the world renowned Peabody Wind Ensemble, directed by Dr. Harlan Parker and world premieres by the UMKC Wind Ensemble and the UMKC Trombone Ensemble, and a performance on the UMKC Conservatory's 100th Anniversary weekend concert.

Recently, Main was honored at the 2007 Midwest Band Clinic in Chicago for his first original work for wind ensemble, "The Clash". There it was awarded the National Band Association’s Merril-Jones Composition prize for outstanding composition.

Ryan currently resides in Baltimore, Maryland, where he is earning a dual masters degree in music composition and music education at the prestigious Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University. For the 2007/2008 school year, Ryan was awarded the Peabody Music Education Department’s competitive Teaching Assistantship position.