About
Ryan Fogal is a composer and cellist specializing in music for media and currently resides in LA. Beginning his passion for cello at the age of ten, he chose to play the instrument for the very best reasons a ten year old could have: it looked cool and you could play the theme from Jaws on it. Several years later, he discovered GarageBand on an iPad and became obsessed with composition and has continued writing ever since.
1 Ryan spent much of his middle school and high school years composing for school ensembles and playing in as many ensembles as he could: symphony orchestras, jazz bands, musical theater pits, marching bands, wind ensembles, and string quartets. He later went on to study at Berklee College of Music where he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Film Scoring with a Minor in Video Game Scoring. Throughout his time there, he continued working on independent and student films and established himself as a go to cellist for sessions and musicals. Prior to graduating, Ryan was hired to work as a writing assistant to Tom Holkenborg (Junkie XL) and currently works as an assistant for James Newton Howard. With every project taken on, his approach is to be a dedicated member of the creative team fully invested in bringing projects to the highest level that they can achieve.
qq As a composer, Ryan primarily draws from an orchestral landscape and often infuses modern electronic production techniques into his music. He is insatiably curious and constantly experimenting in different styles and techniques such as sampling potatoes to create music and creating sound design with acoustic and electric cellos. Ryan is also inspired by music such as that of the Legend of Zelda series, the works of Ravel and Debussy, and modern artists like Tennyson and The Decemberists. Ryan’s overall goal with his music is to create works that are unique to his voice and that ultimately leave the world a better place in whatever small ways that they can.
Outside of music, Ryan is an avid photographer and videographer, fervent admirer of red pandas, and loves to cook for family and friends.
