Will Ryan is a rising American bass praised for his "sonorous," warm voice and "commanding, witty presence" onstage (Cincinnati Business Courier Review). He is currently an Artist Diploma candidate at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, where his recent roles include Bottom in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Harašta in The Cunning Little Vixen. He was previously lauded for his portrayal of Sarastro in Die Zauberflöte, noted for his “velvety, rich voice” and “restrained dignity” (Arts Knoxville) while pursuing his bachelor's degree at the University of Tennessee.

 

In 2025, Will joined The Santa Fe Opera as an Apprentice Singer, covering the roles of Sergeant in La bohème and Court Usher in Rigoletto and performing a scene as Dr. Pangloss (Candide). Past engagements include Flora's Servant (La traviata) at Cincinnati Opera and scenes as Osmin (Die Entführung aus dem Serail) at Musiktheater Bavaria. He looks forward to performances as Judge Turpin (Sweeney Todd) with CCM Opera, in concert with the Herman Melville Symposium, and in Gregory Spears's new opera Sleepers Awake (role tba) with Opera Fusion: New Works, commissioned by Opera Philadelphia.

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In competition, Will recently earned the Italo Tajo/Newberger Award in the CCM Corbett Competition and won an Encouragement Award in the Southeast Region of the Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition after winning his district before.