Ryan began learning to play the bagpipes at the age of seven. In 2001 he joined Colorado Skye Pipes and Drums where he has enjoyed great band success including winning the 2004 WUSPBA Grade IV Championship and placing 2nd at the North American Championships in Maxville, Ontario, Canada, that same year. Ryan's solo accomplishments include the 2006 WUSPBA Grade II Champion Supreme Award and the 2007 Rocky Mountain Silver Chanter. Since May 2005 he has used his piping experience and is one of the piping instructors with Colorado Youth Pipe Band in Denver.

Currently  in  2010 Ryan swept the Grade 1 competitions at the Colorado Scottish Festival and won the prestige's Clan MacLeod's MacCrimmon Quaich for best Grade 1 Piobaireachd.