Hailing from Orange, CT, Ryan Sands is a passionate, energetic drummer on the rise. Ryan’s musical journey started at the age of 4 with Jesse Hameen II at Neighborhood Music School. Through Hameen’s 14 years of mentorship Ryan managed to go All State, summer Jazz intensives in Amherst, Massachusetts and attend both Educational Center of The Arts during the 2009-2010 school year and Manhattan School of Music Pre-College Division from 2010-2012. Ryan attended New England Conservatory and graduated with BA in Jazz Performance. For graduate school Ryan attended Manhattan School of Music and graduated with a Master’s in Jazz Arts and academic honors. 

As a performer Ryan has performed domestically and internationally in Boston, New Haven, Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, Prague, London, Shanghai, and Italy to name a few. He’s had the pleasure of sharing the stage with the likes of Wayne Escoffrey, Jimmy Bruno, and Phil Markowitz. Ryan serves as a rotating member of the critically acclaimed Christian Sands Trio for the past 8 years. He’s also a part of the New York based music collective, Altus, where he serves as the primary drummer and composer. 

As an educator, Ryan has worked as a private drum instructor for Neighborhood Music School and served as an Assistant Teacher, clinician and combo coach for Neighborhood Music School’s Summer Jazz Camp since 2011. Ryan worked as an Assistant Teacher at New England Conservatory’s Jazz Lab. Recently Ryan taught at a local music school in Shanghai at iSchool of Music and Art. 

Currently, Ryan moved back to the US and is now working on his debut album, Standing On The Edge of Tomorrow, which was released on April 8, 2022. 

He’s a proud endorser of Canopus Drums and Paiste Cymbals.