Needham’s Own Brendan Ryan Shares the Stage with Sir James Galway

NEEDHAM, Mass. - March 3, 2014 - PRLog -- Needham native and Boston Flute Academy (BFA) honorary alumnus Brendan Ryan will perform on the same stage as the legendary flutist, Sir James Galway, during the opening concert of the BFA Galway Flute Weekend this Saturday March 8th, 2014.

Ryan grew up in Needham, MA and attended Needham High School.  During his high school years, he played in the local Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras and studied flute at the Brookline Music School with BFA founder Judy Grant.  Now at the age of twenty-four, Brendan V. Ryan is an exciting up-and-coming flutist who has performed in concert halls across the world.

At the Galway Flute Weekend, Ryan will perform some of the flute’s most demanding music alongside Galway, whose recordings and teachings have influenced more than one generation of flutist.   Ryan states:   "I recall listening to Sir James Galway’s “The Wind Beneath My Wings” album on my way to and from kindergarten and on the way to my very first recorder and flute lessons. Sir Galway’s ability to produce a phenomenally soaring tone and sing phrases, both classical and popular, inspired me then and now. I am thrilled to be able to perform for a man who was such an important influence in my childhood and for my artistic aspirations."

Brendan Ryan will perform in the opening concert of the Galway Flute Weekend at the Maliotis Cultural Center in Brookline, on Saturday, March 8th, 2014 at 7:00 pm. He will also perform for Sir James Galway’s Masterclass on Sunday, March 9th from 12:30 – 1:15 pm.   Tickets for the Galway events are offered online for an advance concert pre-sale rate of $25, while seats last.

ABOUT THE GALWAY FLUTE WEEKEND

Living legend Sir James Galway is coming to Boston Flute Academy to perform and teach on March 8th and 9th, 2014.  BFA Galway Flute Weekend provides Bostonians the unique opportunity to observe how this world famous musician thinks about music as he teaches the flute stars of tomorrow!  Ask Sir James and his wife Lady Galway questions about their life and careers during the Q&A session.  All flutists who attend are invited to warm up with Sir James and to play in a closing performance, led by Sir Galway. Non-musicians will find the Galway Masterclasses a fascinating experience with the illustrious master in the intimate setting of the Boston Flute Academy.

Concert:  Saturday, March 8th, 7:00pm, limited seating

Masterclasses:   Sunday, March 9th, 9am-6:00pm

Location:  Maliotis Cultural Center, Brookline, MA

Details:   www.bostonfluteacademy.com

Online advanced purchase discount:   $25

At the door:  $40 and up, if seats are still available.

ABOUT BOSTON FLUTE ACADEMY

The Boston Flute Academy (BFA) was founded in 2008 by Boston flutist Judy Grant.  Her vision was a supportive flute community where the finest teachers and world-class guest artists would be accessible to all ages and levels of students.  The school is possibly the first of its kind, offering a conservatory curriculum designed specifically for flutists.  Originally known for its accelerated training program for flutists seeking performance careers, the BFA has grown to provide innovative and inspiring classes for all flutists, from novice to professional.

MORE ABOUT BRENDAN RYAN

Flutist Brendan Ryan graduated with honors from the University of Southern California in 2012 with a Bachelor of Music degree. At USC, Mr. Ryan studied with Jim Walker, prolific studio musician and former Principal Flutist of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Mr. Ryan also spent a year at Carnegie Mellon University where he studied under Jeanne Baxtresser, former New York Philharmonic Principal Flutist and Alberto Almarza. Currently, Mr. Ryan is finishing his Master of Music degree at the University of Texas at Austin where he studies with the wonderful soloist and former Boston Symphony Orchestra Acting Principal Flutist, Marianne Gedigian. While in high school, Mr. Ryan studied under Boston Flute Academy Founder and Music Director, Judy Grant. For his outreach work in Los Angeles and academic performance while at USC, Mr. Ryan was recognized by the university as a Discovery Scholar and was awarded the Phi Kappa Phi Student Recognition Award upon graduation. Recently, Mr. Ryan was a First Prize winner in the 2013 Alexander and Buono International Flute Competition and was thusly offered a solo performance in Carnegie Hall in October of 2013. In addition to his music studies, Mr. Ryan has a passion for theatre performance, reading and baseball.

BRENDAN RYAN PHOTO ATTACHED