Ryan M. Camara
Education and Training
Ryan earned an Associates degree in music from Orange Coast College and received his formal training in ethnomusicology as a student at UCLA. Ryan studied intensively in Guinea, West Africa since 1996 with Mamady Keita, Ousmane Sylla, Lansana Camara, Boka Camara and Ballet Matam. Ryan under went a traditional West African apprenticeship to Master Drummer M. Lamine Dibo Camara and was formally adopted into the Camara family of the Susu ethnic group.
Performance
Ryan has performed with many of West Africa's most famous artists including Prince Diabate, Mouminatou Camara, Yamoussa Soumah, Boka Junior, Ballet Matam and members of Les Ballets Africains and The National Ballet Djoliba. As a member of M. Lamine Dibo Camara's, Company Fore-Fote, Ryan has helped spread the high-energy music of the West Africa throughout the world. Ryan also directs his own music and dance ensemble, Wakili and Denbaya.
Presentations
Ryan has presented at several MENC National, state and regional conferences as well ORFF Schulwerk, and Percussion conferneces around the world. He was a feautured clinician at the National Association for Music Educators 61st Biennial In-Service Conference in 2008 and has presented at MENC state coferences including Maryland, California, Wisconsin, Florida, Texas, Georgia and Tennessee. Ryan was a featured presenter at AOSA National Conference in 2007 and a featured clinician at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention (2006), and several PAS Days of Percussion in California and Oregon. Additionally, Ryan has been a featured lecturer and/or Artist in Residence at major universities including Univeristy of California Santa Barbara and the University of Colorado. Ryan has conducted workhops for numerous elementary, middle and high schools around the country in tours and workshops sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts, Montana Arts Council, Arts Council of Southern Oregon, and the House of Blues foundation.
Media
Ryan has numerous recordings to his credit including, Fore-Fote's acclaimed,"Wonbere" and the "Denbaya Instructional CD Series." Ryan is co-author of "West African Drum and Dance: A Yankadi-Macrou Celebration" from Alfred Publishing and founder and director of djembelesson.org - an online training center for traditional West African music.
Current
Ryan is currently an Adjunct Faculty member at Southern Oregon University where he directs the SOU West African Cultural Ensemble. He is also an Artist in Residence for the Arts Council of Southern Oregon, the Artistic Director of the non-profit cultural performance organization, Denbaya, Inc. and an active conference presenter.
Endorsements
Ryan is sponsored by Peripole-Bergerault professional and educational Percussion instruments and Alfred Publishing.
