Ryder Jensen

Ryder Jensen is 16 years old, and has been playing the viola for 5 years. A junior at William B. Travis High School, he has participated in many music summer festivals such as the NYU Summer Strings Program, Juilliard Music Theory Program, and the AFA String Quartet Program. Ryder performed for multiple years with the Symphony of TMEA Region 13 and was recently awarded the “Outstanding Performer” medal for the All-State UIL (University Interscholastic League) Solo Competition in addition to his high marks on solo performances. Ryder began his viola studies under Director Sophia Hsieh from Sartartia Middle School, and is currently under the direction of Sabrina Behrens at Travis High School. He studies privately with Lauren Haley. In addition to playing with the Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra, he has taken lessons with Professor Ivo-Jan van der Werff at Rice University, Professors Amadi Azikiwe and Wendy Richman from NYU, and Michelle Gunn. Outside the world of performance, Ryder loves playing and designing video games, coding, physics, and is currently teaching himself piano to support his composition interest.