69. Ryan Silvestri discusses his dissertation research about recruiting and retention, classroom teaching strategies, balancing personal and professional life, and more

Ryan Silvestri is in his twelfth year at Wando High School as
Director of Orchestras. A native of Boardman, Ohio, Mr. Silvestri
earned a bachelor's degree in instrumental music education from
Florida State University and a master's degree in violin
performance from UNC-Greensboro. He is currently pursuing a
doctor of music education degree from Liberty University. Ryan
completed his string education studies with the late Dr. Michael
Allen, co-author of the Essential Elements for Strings series, as
well as Dr. Rebecca MacLeod. As a violinist, Ryan has performed
with the Charleston, Greensboro, and Tallahassee Symphonies and
also served as Concertmaster of the Brevard Music Center Sinfonia
Orchestra. Primary violin teachers include Marjorie Bagley,
Corinne Stillwell, Eliot Chapo, and John Wilcox. In addition to
teaching at Wando, Ryan served as the inaugural director of the
Charleston Symphony Youth Strings from 2019-2022 and as an
adjunct professor of strings at Charleston Southern University.
Professional associations include NAFME and ASTA. Mr. Silvestri
has frequently served as a guest adjudicator and clinician and
has published articles in the American String Teacher. Under his
direction, the Wando Orchestras have nearly tripled in size and
consistently received Superior ratings at SCMEA Concert Festival
and other regional competitions. The Wando Honors Orchestra was
invited to perform at the SCMEA state conference in 2017 and 2024
and competed in the ASTA National Orchestra Festival in 2018.
Ryan lives in Mount Pleasant, SC with his wife who is also a
music educator and violinist, and four children.


Mr. Silvestri can be reached at:
ryan_silvestri@charleston.k12.sc.us


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