Ryan Corbett

Born in Glasgow, Ryan Corbett is a classical accordionist who has been described as “one of Scotland’s most exciting young musicians” (The Scotsman). This year he graduated from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, where he will commence his postgraduate studies after summer. Previously, he studied at the Music School of Douglas Academy and St Mary’s Music School. Ryan began playing accordion aged eleven and was self-taught until he started learning with Djordje Gajic at the age of fourteen. His repertoire ranges from Baroque keyboard works, to original contemporary compositions for accordion.

Ryan was awarded the Keyboard Prize, first prize and Gold Medal at the Royal Over-Seas League Annual Music Competition, first prize at the Bromsgrove International Musicians’ competition and prizes at international accordion competitions in Italy, Germany, and China. Ryan is a Tillet Debut scheme artist, Munster Trust Recital Scheme artist and the first accordionist to be part of the prestigious BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artist scheme since its launch in 1999.

Ryan has given solo concerts across Europe at venues including the Berlin Philharmonie and he looks forward to upcoming concerts at Wigmore Hall, Kings Place, Bath Festival, St Magnus Festival, Buxton Festival, Cambridge Summer Music Festival, Ryedale Festival, Lake District Summer Music Festival, Edinburgh Festival and Lammermuir Festival. Ryan recorded Bach’s fourth keyboard concerto with the Berliner Symphoniker as part of the Piazzolla centenary celebrations, and later this year he will perform Vaclav Trojan’s accordion concerto with the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland. As a New Generation Artist, he will be introduced to a wide audience through radio broadcasts, appearances at major festivals and performances with BBC orchestras.

In 2021 Ryan formed an accordion duo with Djordje Gajic; its repertoire features an arrangement of Stravinsky's ballet 'Petrushka' and Ryan's own arrangement of Bach’s Prelude and Fugue in Eb ‘St Anne’ which was described as "musically unified and utterly compelling" (Seen and Heard International). Ryan also arranged Rameau’s ‘Entrée de Polymnie’ from Les Boréades for three accordions which was performed for HRH The Prince of Wales during his official visit to the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. Other chamber projects have resulted in performances at private events for Sir Jackie Stewart and Dame Kiri Te Kanawa.

Ryan plays a Bayan Spectrum classical piano accordion made by Bugari Armando in Castelfidardo, Italy. This was made possible by the generous support of private sponsors, the John Mather Trust, and Dewar Arts Awards. Ryan is grateful to the Cross Trust, Drake Calleja Trust, Countess of Munster Musical Trust, RCS Scholarship Fund and Help Musicians UK for supporting his studies.