Ryan Helenthal

Ryan Helenthal is a freelance percussionist in the St. Louis area. He studied at Southern Illinois University- Edwardsville under Daniel Smithiger. Ryan served as principal percussionist for the St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra in the 2014-2015 season. He is also principal percussionist for the St. Louis Brass Band. Other groups that Ryan has performed with include The Agape Ringers in Chicago and The Downtime Band in St. Louis. Ryan has been active in musical theater, playing for The Clinton Area Showboat Theater, The City of Bloomington, Hard Road Productions, Looking Glass Playhouse Theatre, Community Players Theatre, St. Charles Community College, and Southern Illinois University- Edwardsville. Ryan has also commissioned a work by Casey Cangelosi titled "Iktsuarpok."

Ryan also teaches percussion and front ensemble at Alton High School in Alton, Illinois as well as teaches lessons at Halpin Music in Alton Illinois. He has been on faculty for the SIUE Percussion Institute for 2 years. Ryan has also participated in the accessories masterclass led by Phillip O'Banion of Temple University at PASIC. Over the years Ryan has studied with or taken lessons from Daniel Smithiger, Erick Saoud, Steven Hemphill, Ryan Lewis, Nancy Zeltsman, Mike Vercelli, Will James, Shannon Wood, Ryun Louie, Tom Marko, Amanda Legner, and Miles Vandiver

Ryan is endorsed by Artifact Percussion and is a Beetle Percussion ambassador.