Indie-folk singer-songwriter Elaine Ryan will visit Shenandoah Conservatory on March 17, to lead two masterclasses for students in the contemporary musicianship and entrepreneurial musicianship program. Drawing on her experience as a performing and recording artist, Ryan will engage students in conversations about navigating the modern music industry, covering topics such as financial sustainability, mindset and mental health for artists, performing cover gigs and opportunities in film and television sync licensing.

The sessions provide students with practical insight into building a sustainable career as an independent musician while balancing the creative and business dimensions of the profession.

Elaine Ryan is a Canadian indie-folk singer-songwriter, author and former sync agent based in the San Francisco Bay Area. With a voice that blends soulfulness and vulnerability, she has captivated audiences across Canada, the U.S. and Europe. Her songwriting, rooted in her Irish and Vancouver upbringing, weaves poetic lyricism with intimate storytelling.

Ryan has released two albums, an EP and over a dozen singles, with songs featured in TV shows on NBC and Amazon, as well as ad campaigns for Amazon Fashion and Yogurette. She has collaborated across genres, from co-creating in the vintage soul project “The Rollbacks” to her pop duo JELAINA. She also co-wrote and sang on the viral hip hop hit “Are You Ready” with NEU SONG. Her newest solo album, a collection of heartfelt indie folk/American songs, will be released in November.

In 2021, Ryan founded Unicorn Sync, a boutique licensing agency that has secured placements in reality TV shows including “Love Island” and “Are You the One,” as well as in feature films and film promos. She sold the company to music supervisor Peter Davis at the end of 2025. She also launched Sync Music for a Change, a nonprofit volunteer initiative that pairs listening sessions with music supervisors with donations to progressive causes.

Her book, “Living a Music-Centered Life: A Guide to Balance, Fulfillment & Paying the Bills,” offers practical and inspiring advice for independent musicians building sustainable creative lives. Ryan lives in the Bay Area with her husband, her journal and her guitar. Her music is available on Spotify and Apple Music.

Ryan’s visit is coordinated by Interim Director of Contemporary Musicianship & Entrepreneur Development (CMED) and Visiting Assistant Professor of Music Jesse Terry, B.M.