PLAYBACK: CELLIST RYAN LOUIE

He’s been integral to some of OPUS 216’s coolest recent projects. It seemed about time you met cellist Ryan Louie!

Performance credentials:

I do an assortment of performances in and around Cleveland, but I usually perform with the Akron Symphony Orchestra, the Canton Symphony Orchestra, and the Toledo Symphony Orchestra.

Long term creative goals:

Just to be the best and most honest musician I can be and to make music wherever I am in life.

Favorite Performance Memory:

I have two!

The first was in Japan with Pacific Music Festival in 2011. We were performing under Fabio Luisi, playing Wagner’s “Prelude and Liebestod” from Tristan and Isolde and Brahms’ Symphony No. 2 at Suntory Hall in Tokyo as a tribute to the victims of the earthquake and tsunami that devastated Japan that same year.

My second was performing my friend and colleague Kyle Price’s Requiem in memory of his late aunt Connie Barrett with some of my dearest friends at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in NYC. The cathedral was glorious in size and in acoustics. Many of us knew Connie personally so emotions were riding really high that day. I’ll never forget the feelings and sentiments we all shared during that performance.

Favorite CLE food:

Ah! This is an IMPOSSIBLE question! I love all types of food (and food in general) but if had to narrow it down to FIVE places I’d say these, in no particular order:

1. Edison’s

2. La Plaza Supermarket

3. Mr. Brisket

4. Szechuan Gourmet

5. Wonton Gourmet

What do you do on a day off:

I’ll go to the gym, play basketball, read, clean or cook… and probably also just stay at home and veg with Netflix – and chill in front of my closed cello case!

Musical Inspiration?

Many of my teachers and colleagues have inspired me to work hard and become the musician I am today. An icon that inspires me is always Yo-Yo Ma. He is a creator who brings this joy and love to music that many often forget exists.

Non-Musical inspiration:

So many! Just about anyone who demonstrates compassion, empathy, and love out of their own heart. Recently, I was inspired by the transformation of Megan Phelps-Roper. She’s a former member of the Westboro Baptist Church, who used to preach hate towards certain groups of people in America. Through inspiring and compassionate conversations (actually via Twitter), she was able to leave the WBC and her old beliefs. Currently, she preaches love, communication, and how to engage others. I highly recommend watching some of her TED Talks on YouTube.

Favorite Classical Composer, Artist, or Piece?

As you can see, I’m terrible with favorites.

For composers, I love Beethoven, Mahler, Mozart and Strauss.

For artists, this changes all the time but I love our hometown band, THE Cleveland Orchestra, plus Belcea Quartet, Maria Joao Pires, and Truls Mørk.

My favorite classical piece:

Beethoven String Quartet Op. 132 and Schoenberg Verklarte Nacht

Favorite Non-Classical Artist or Song?

I love all music but my second favorite genre is probably hip-hop. Right now I’m really into Kendrick and the late Nujabes, but I’m also a sucker for some old-school A Tribe Called Quest, MF Doom, Notorious B.I.G., and Tupac.

One of my all time favorite songs is “In a Sentimental Mood” performed by Duke Ellington and John Coltrane. It ALWAYS hits all the feels.