J. Ryan Garber's music is performed in a variety of venues in the US and abroad. He has received awards, recognition, and special performances from five national organizations and in 2002 was named "Composer of the Year" by the Tennessee Music Teachers Association. His music has been recorded for four CD labels and printed by three music publishers.
Born in 1973 in Harrisonburg, Virginia, Garber lived his first twenty-two years on a dairy farm in the beautiful and rural Shenandoah Valley. At age four, along with his identical twin brother, Aaron (also a composer), he began studying piano. Later came bassoon and organ, and composing was always in the mix.
At James Madison University (15 miles up the road) he earned his first two degrees (BM, MM in composition) under the guidance of John S. Hilliard. His DM in composition is from Florida State University where his principal composition teacher was Ladislav Kubik. Additionally, Garber has benefited from insights on composing from, among others, Donald Erb, Libby Larsen, Nancy Van de Vate, and Ellen Taaffe Zwilich.
Currently, Garber is Associate Professor of Music at Carson-Newman College where he teaches composition, theory, organ, and bassoon. In 2003 Carson-Newman recognized Garber with both its Creativity award and Excellence in Teaching and Leadership award.