Through Westminster’s unique choral core, Ryan sang five times with the New York Philharmonic under renowned conductors Nicholas McGeegan, Alan Gilbert, Sir Richard Hickox, Charles Dutoit, and Lorin Maazel.
Why Ryan Chose Rider's Westminster Choir College
Ryan Guth always had music in his life: both his parents — Patricia Buchholz Guth ‘81 and Gary Guth ‘81 — attended Westminster Choir College of Rider University. But it wasn’t until his senior year of high school that he actually considered a career in music for himself, after winning a countywide classical vocal scholarship, attending Westminster’s summer Vocal Institute and hearing Fred Rogers (television’s Mister Rogers) speak about service through music at Westminster’s Commencement.
“After so many life-changing musical experiences in one year, I had no choice but to take it as a sign to pursue music as a career,” said Ryan.
At Westminster, I collaborated with some of the best musicians in the country and sang with some of the most renowned orchestras on earth.
Director of Choral Music, Marlboro Memorial Middle School and Founder, VoiceWorks
Westminster's Impact on Ryan's Success
“Westminster expanded my musical horizons,” says Ryan. “I collaborated with some of the best musicians in the country and sang with some of the most renowned orchestras on earth.”
One week after graduating from Westminster with a bachelor’s degree in music education, Ryan was offered a job at Marlboro Memorial Middle School where he teaches music and conducts six musical ensembles. He also welcomes challenges. “Westminster taught me to keep raising the bar for myself — and for my students,” he adds.
Continued Success
A few years after he began teaching, Ryan founded VoiceWorks, a performing arts school for young singers, actors and handbell musicians. “I couldn't bear to see my students move on to the high school level with little to no music programs,” he says.
In just four years, VoiceWorks has produced three summer shows at regional theaters and expanded to two cities. In addition to running the school, Ryan directs two of VoiceWorks’ high school ensembles: Viridis, a classical choral ensemble, and Impulse Handbell Ensemble, recognized as one of the nation’s top teen bell choirs. Ensembles under his direction have been featured in local and national media throughout the U.S. and Canada and have performed on stages locally and across the country.
Performance by the Impulse Handbell Ensemble, a group of high school students from the Morganville, NJ area.