Ryan Barski is a jazz drummer and music teacher based in Rochester, New York. He earned his Bachelor of Music (2022) and Master of Music (2024) at the Eastman School of Music, where he studied with Rich Thompson and taught the undergraduate introduction to jazz drumming course. He has performed at the Rochester International Jazz Festival every year since 2013, co-founded the jazz quartet Side Step in 2022, and has taught drums, piano and music theory privately in Rochester since 2017.
Ryan is a graduate of the Eastman School of Music, where he earned both a Bachelor of Music (2022) and a Master of Music (2024) in Jazz and Contemporary Media.
During his time at Eastman, he studied under renowned faculty and immersed himself in a rigorous program that emphasized both technical mastery and creative exploration. His experiences there played a pivotal role in shaping his musical identity and artistic direction.
His most influential mentor has been renowned drummer and Eastman Professor Rich Thompson, with whom he began studying in 2016. Thompson’s guidance played a key role in shaping his sound, style, and professionalism, forming the foundation of his growth as a drummer and musician.
From 2017 to 2024, he studied at the Eastman School of Music under esteemed faculty including Jeff Campbell, Bill Dobbins, Clay Jenkins, Gary Versace, Dave Rivello, Christine Jensen, Bob Sneider, Charles Pillow, Mark Kellogg, and Dariusz Terefenko. A year-long independent study in composition with Terefenko helped him develop his voice as a composer, an influence that continues to guide his writing and arranging.
During his time at Eastman, Ryan also studied with a number of internationally acclaimed drummers through masterclasses and private lessons. These included E.J. Strickland, Johnathan Barber, John Riley, Jeff Hamilton, Ulysses Owens Jr., and Jared Schonig. He also expanded his learning in New York City through studies with Ari Hoenig, whose insights into rhythm and improvisation further deepened his musical voice.
Outside of his academic training, he has built a private teaching studio, offering drum and piano lessons since 2017. His students, ranging in age from four to seventy, reflect his inclusive and adaptable approach to teaching.
Study with Ryan
Want your child taught by an Eastman graduate?
Book a free consultation and Ryan will tell you honestly where your child is and what it would take to get where they want to be.