Ryan Heller is happy to be the conductor of the Southwest Washington Symphony Orchestra. He begins his fifth year in that role.

Mr.Heller, a native Oregonian, completed his M.M. (summa cum laude) in Conducting from Portland State University where he studied primarily with Dr. Bruce Browne. Ryan also holds his B.M. (summa cum laude) in Conducting from Chapman University where Dr. William Hall was his primary professor.

At PSU, Mr. Heller conducted the Madrigal Choir, Women's Chorus, and has served as the chorus master of the PSU Opera as well as Assistant Conductor of the acclaimed Chamber Choir--he will be staying on board at PSU this year, to conduct the Madrigal Choir and Women's Chorus.

Mr. Heller is currently the Conductor and Artistic Director of the Columbia Chorale of Oregon, which is entering its fifth season this fall. He is also currently the director of the championship Pride of Portland Chorus of Sweet Adelines International.

His newest choral group is the Portland Vocal Consort, a professional ensemble featuring the area's finest singers.

Ryan has served as Musical Director of a wide variety of productions throughout California and Oregon, including: Brigadoon, Pirates of Penzance, H.M.S. Pinafore, Sweeney Todd, Annie, Company, and Into the Woods, among others.

As Music Director of the Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church in Costa Mesa, CA, he appeared with the choir on the acclaimed Victoria Recital Series, earning the group reviews as "the best church choir in Orange County," as well as recording the ensemble's first CD.

Mr. Heller is also an active performer, having appeared and/or recorded with groups such as: Portland Opera, William Hall Master Chorale, Choral Cross-Ties, Portland Baroque Orchestra, Capella Romana, Lakewood Theater Co., and the Broadway Rose Theater Co. Among his honors, Ryan received the Dean's Award from Chapman University, and the Young Artists' Award from the National Recording Academy.

Mr. Heller is in frequent demand as a conductor, singer and coach, and has been hailed by critics as "fresh, exciting, bold...a bright young star in today's musical scene." He is tremendously honored to conduct the Southwest Washington Symphony and to join with the Longview community in their pursuit of musical excellence.