Ryan Helms

Ryan Helms is currently a student at the University of Oregon minoring in music. For two years he has been a part of U of O's premier big band directed by Steve Owen, the Oregon Jazz Ensemble, and has studied saxophone under Idit Shner. Outside of U of O, he has participated in successful smaller groups in collaboration with his friend Abraham Luedtke, as well as winning several statewide awards as a soloist in the Willamette High School jazz band. In 2019, Ryan played alto saxophone and clarinet on Luedtke's debut album, Wild Iris Ridge. Ryan owes his passion for music to his many dedicated teachers through the years as well as local jazz legends - Joe Freuen, Joe Manis, Mike Curtis, Josh Hettwer, Idit Shner, Steve Owen, Hashem Assadullahi, and Tony Glausi to name a few.