Reviews of Dan Ryker Music Lessons

“After retiring from a 31-year teaching career, I decided to take piano lessons when nearing my 60s. I did a considerable amount of research of available instructors in the Salem and Corvallis area and was drawn to Dan Ryker as an instructor because of his website, which communicates competence, clarity, caring, and above all, a passion for teaching. I have never once regretted my choice. Dan knows how to work with non-traditional students like myself. We work on music I like. He encourages me to learn new chords and new ways of thinking about music. He is never pedantic. If I don’t quite “get” something, Dan takes the time to ask me questions that will help me reach where I should be going. He will also demonstrate the correct way a passage should be played. He teaches with a kindness and a respect that cannot be rivaled. Dan provides what I call constructive encouragement, kindly and gently pointing out errors and offering solutions. Every single lesson is fun and challenging, and the 10 months I’ve worked with Dan have flown by. I look forward to having him help me with songwriting. / Covid-19 health and safety protocols necessitated moving lessons online, via Zoom. I cannot emphasize enough how impressed I am with the way Dan made this transition. He has a true talent for incorporating and using technology in his lessons. He can do everything via his computer screen and keyboard that he could do if the lessons were in person. He patiently walked me through the technology set up at my end; multiple times. I never felt he was exasperated or condescending. My piano lessons prove to be one of the few bright spots in these dark days of the pandemic. Dan is truly a good person and a wonderful instructor whose passion for teaching is evident in every lesson. He is an easy person to like and trust. I highly recommend him!” - Dr. Molly Mayhead

“We had our children with Dan many years ago for piano lessons and he was amazing with our kids. Besides teaching them foundational piano skills, he tailored his lessons and focus toward each of our kids style and musical interest. On top of that, he took a great interest in them as people and was there as a mentor and someone they could talk too. His patience, kindness and guidance toward them was fantastic and much appreciated by my wife and I. Looking back many years now with those kids in their twenties, they all still play the piano and use the musical skills they learned with Dan to write, sing and do sound production. We are very thankful for Dan's teaching as he goes above and beyond being just "a piano teacher." Thanks Dan.” – Brad Stratton

"Dan did an outstanding job with beginning guitar for my son. He is organized and thorough yet keeps the environment relaxed and fun. I highly recommend. " – Angie Gray

"As our middle-school-aged son first started piano lessons, I was impressed with the way Dan always found encouraging things to say about the things that were going well, while gently correcting mistakes. Dan covered the basics well, but also found out what our son particularly wanted to learn and incorporated that into the lessons." - Diane Wai

"Dan is a talented musician and songwriter. He’s also an insightful and effective teacher. Dan, working with me in one-on-one guitar lessons, was quick to identify my learning style and helped me to focus where I needed to grow most. In a short time he was able to coach me through a number of skills ranging from honing guitar fundamentals to more advanced composition and songwriting. I would be delighted to work with him again and wholeheartedly recommend Dan to anyone seeking music instruction." - Sonja Smith

“It has been a wonderful experience taking guitar lessons from Dan. He has explained the world of music to me (something I never had the opportunity to learn when I was much younger) and I have certainly enjoyed our sessions. He obviously likes teaching and that translates to his students having a good time and, therefore, enjoying their learning experience. Thank you Dan, for helping me realize a long-time goal. I would give Dan the highest recommendation should anyone be interested in an old man’s opinion.” - Steve Centers