Biography

Ryan Davis is the director of orchestras at both Hellgate High School and Sentinel High School in Missoula, Montana.  He is also the conductor of the Missoula Youth Symphony and the assistant conductor of the Butte Symphony in Butte, Montana.

A native of Anaconda, MT, Davis began his career teaching orchestra at Big Sky High School in Missoula.  He has been teaching in his current position for thirteen years.  During these years, his groups have consistently earned superior ratings at District and State festivals.  His groups have performed in Washington DC, Memphis Tennesee, Nashville Tennesee, Chicago Illinois and in Spokane Washington where they were asked to perform for the All-Northwest NAfME Convention. 

A Double Bass player, Davis earned his BME from the University of Montana, graduating with high honors.  He received his Master’s degree from the University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign, where he studied conducting from Linda Moorhouse and string pedagogy from Louis Bergonzi.  He remains active as a bass player and has acted as the principal bassist of The Missoula Symphony Orchestra, The Butte Symphony, and The University of Montana Symphony Orchestra.  He has also performed with the String Orchestra of the Rockies, Ingrid Jensen, Bob Mintzer and Steve Smith.  Mr. Davis resides in Missoula, Montana with his wife Annie and his son Rowan.