Ryan is 9 years old and has lived in Marlboro, NJ for two years. He is in fifth grade at Frank Defino Central Elementary School. He enjoys piano, fencing, soccer, and chess. Ryan started piano when he was five, and his piano teacher was Olga Smirnova in Pennsylvania. With Miss Olga, Ryan has had the chance to go to Carnegie Hall.

Ryan has been studying with Mrs. Clarfield for two years and has earned several achievements. He has received first place in the Elite International Music Competition. Additionally, Ryan earned Gold in Golden Key Music Festival. He has also won First Prize in Great Composers Competition, Best Mozart, and Second Prize in Best Chopin (8-10 age group). Finally, he secured 3rd place in NJMTA Young Musicians Competition and High Honors in the NJMTA Spring Recital.

Ryan works hard to win prizes. Usually, at around 7:30 PM, Mom practices with Ryan until 9:30 PM. He gets occasional breaks, and video tapes most songs so he can review them. Whenever Ryan cannot finish one day’s practice, he makes it up in either the morning or the afternoon the next day.