Dr. Ben Ryer began composing while attending the University of Mary Washington, where he also studied the clarinet under Doug Gately, and music theory with Dr. Craig Naylor and Dr. David Long. He went on to earn his Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees at George Mason University, where he studied composition under Dr. Glenn Smith, Dr. Jesse Guessford, Dr. Michael Nickens (“Doc Nix”), and Mark Camphouse.

Ben has written and arranged music which has been performed throughout the DC Metro area and beyond. His musical background ranges from classical to jazz to rock to video games soundtracks, and he works to incorporate all of these styles and influences into his compositions. He has taught woodwind and music theory lessons, and served as an adjunct faculty member and graduate lecturer at George Mason University in Fairfax, VA.

Ben currently serves as principal clarinetist and Repertoire Editor with the Washington Metropolitan Gamer Symphony Orchestra in Rockville, MD, and is a member of ASCAP and the Society of Composers, Inc.