Ryan Char

Ryan Char is an American-born British violinist currently based in Maastricht & Brussels. Praised for his warm tone and sensitive musicality, he has performed as a soloist and recitalist throughout Europe, North America, and Hong Kong. Some highlights have included a quartet residency followed by the Banff Centre Award, recitals with the International Holland Music Sessions, and an invitation to the XXII Encuentro de Música y Academia de Santander. Ryan has appeared at major music festivals such as the Aspen Music Festival, Marvão Music Festival, and Stift International Music Festival.

Ryan studied with Professor Yuzuko Horigome in Brussels and Maastricht, having previously earned his Bachelor’s degree with First-Class Honours from the Royal Academy of Music, where he studied with Professors Joshua Fisher and Rodney Friend. His other significant mentors have included Keiko Wataya, Zakhar Bron, and Christoph Poppen.

Committed to bringing the fine arts to communities with limited access to classical music, in 2025, Ryan co-directed a concert series and masterclass on Terceira Island in the Portuguese Azorean Archipelago with support from the City of Angra do Heroísmo.

Ryan currently performs on an 1890 Enrico Marchetti violin, generously on loan from a private sponsor.