Ryan O’Connell is a trumpet player, composer, and harmonium player originally from Western Massachusetts. Music has been a part of his life since the age of four, with formal trumpet training beginning nearly 16 years ago. His current work explores the intersection of improvisation, meditation, spoken word poetry, and electronics, seeking to challenge how listeners interact with art and to highlight the role sound can play in one’s spiritual journey.
As a freelance trumpet player, Ryan’s performances span a wide range of styles. In 2025, he appeared at the International Yoga Festival in Rishikesh, India, with artists such as MC Yogi, Sivamani, and Runa Rizvi. In 2022, he performed in the world premiere of Esperanza Spalding and Wayne Shorter’s opera Iphigenia at the Majestic Theater in Boston, sharing the stage with Esperanza Spalding, John Patitucci, Danilo Perez, and Jeff “Tain” Watts. That same year, he also performed in the premiere of Linda Chase’s oratorio For Our Common Home, which received praise from the Vatican. Beyond these highlights, Ryan has played with numerous orchestras, big bands, and pit ensembles at venues including the Palace Theater, the Grand Ole Opry, Jordan Hall, and Boston Symphony Hall.
Ryan is also a dedicated educator. He has served on the faculty at the New England Conservatory Prep School and currently teaches at the River School Conservatory. His teaching philosophy blends creativity, mindfulness, and curiosity: he encourages students not only to refine their technical skills but also to approach their instruments with presence, awareness, and imagination. Drawing from both Western conservatory training and Eastern contemplative practices, Ryan invites students to explore music as a bridge between self-discipline and self-discovery.
He holds a Master of Music degree from the New England Conservatory and a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.