Ryan Behnke is an experienced performer on the Uilleann Pipes (Irish bagpipes, pronounced ill-en: Irish for Elbow) Tin whistle, Irish flute, and highland bagpipes originally from St. Paul, Minnesota. Through his passion for music, Ryan has had the pleasure of performing in various bands and shows which have taken him across the United States and Ireland. He has performed with the Macalester College Pipe Band. Unwelcome Visitors, Three Pints and a Glass, The Irish Memory Orchestra, and TigerLion’s production: Nature. He holds a master’s degree in Irish Traditional Music Performance from the University of Limerick, where he honed his skill on the Uilleann pipe and through the program was fortunate enough to work with many of the greats in uilleann piping. His talents have won him first prize in senior piping at the Midwest Regional Fleadh Cheoil in 2014 and 2015.

Ryan has a deep love for the pipers of the past. His style reflects that love and he draws inspiration from old recordings, most notably Tommy Reck, Seamus Ennis, Willie Clancy, and Patsy Touhey. With these influences, Ryan tries to blend the techniques and ornamentation of the players of the past and blend them to create his own unique style of piping.