Ryan Hernandez began his musical training in Huntington Beach, California, guided by esteemed blues musician Walter Trout. Upon moving to New Jersey in 2010, Ryan was gradually exposed to the New York metropolitan area jazz scene, becoming enamored with it. This passion led him to the New Jersey Performing Arts Center’s jazz program and 

the New Jersey Youth Jazz Orchestra. During this time, he appeared on stage with jazz greats like Christian McBride, Jon Faddis, Stefon Harris, and Paquito D’Rivera. Ryan graduated from the William Paterson Jazz Program in 2020 where he studied and performed with top-tier musicians such as Bill Charlap, Steve LaSpina, Harold Mabern, and Joe Lovano. In 2023, Ryan graduated from Manhattan School of Music where he was under the tutelage of master musicians such as Ingrid Jensen, Mike Moreno, Jaleel Shaw, Harvie S, and Rogerio Bocatto. Ryan currently plays regularly in Manhattan at various restaurants and bars, including La Lanterna di Vittorio’s Bar Next Door, the Antique Garage and the Standard Hotel. His latest residency was at the Stone House in Watchung, NJ. 

Aside from his performance work, Ryan is an experienced and passionate educator. He began his teaching pursuits in 2017 at the Park Conservatory in Rutherford, NJ. In 2018, he was on faculty at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center’s All-Female Jazz Residency and has since been a substitute teacher for their Jazz for Teens program. He currently teaches in-person and virtual private lessons in the NYC area to students of all ages, covering a wide variety of musical styles including rock, pop, jazz, classical and other contemporary music.