February 12, 2024

69. Ryan Silvestri discusses his dissertation research about recruiting and retention, classroom teaching strategies, balancing personal and professional life, and more

35 minutes

Ryan Silvestri is in his twelfth year at Wando High School as Director of Orchestras. A native of Boardman, Ohio, Mr. Silvestri earned a bachelor's degree in instrumental music education from Florida State University and a master's degree in violin performance from UNC-Greensboro. He is currently pursuing a doctor of music education degree from Liberty University. Ryan completed his string education studies with the late Dr. Michael Allen, co-author of the Essential Elements for Strings series, as well as Dr. Rebecca MacLeod.

As a violinist, Ryan has performed with the Charleston, Greensboro, and Tallahassee Symphonies and also served as Concertmaster of the Brevard Music Center Sinfonia Orchestra. Primary violin teachers include Marjorie Bagley, Corinne Stillwell, Eliot Chapo, and John Wilcox. In addition to teaching at Wando, Ryan served as the inaugural director of the Charleston Symphony Youth Strings from 2019-2022 and as an adjunct professor of strings at Charleston Southern University.

Professional associations include NAFME and ASTA. Mr. Silvestri has frequently served as a guest adjudicator and clinician and has published articles in the American String Teacher. Under his direction, the Wando Orchestras have nearly tripled in size and consistently received Superior ratings at SCMEA Concert Festival and other regional competitions. The Wando Honors Orchestra was invited to perform at the SCMEA state conference in 2017 and 2024 and competed in the ASTA National Orchestra Festival in 2018. Ryan lives in Mount Pleasant, SC with his wife who is also a music educator and violinist, and four children.

Mr. Silvestri can be reached at: [email protected]

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