Technical Sergeant Ryan G. Janus

Technical Sergeant Ryan Janus grew up in Mt. Prospect, Illinois. He studied at Hope College in Holland, Michigan (B.Mus. in music performance and B.A. in Mathematics) and University of South Florida in Tampa (M.Mus. in Jazz Studies), both on academic scholarships. He was a two-time concerto competition winner at Hope, as well as receiving the Outstanding Artist award for all Fine Arts departments. While at USF, TSgt Janus performed regularly with the bands at DisneyWorld and Busch Gardens. He was then hired to teach saxophone, jazz studies and music theory at Hope College. TSgt Janus was also regular faculty member of the Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp and Aquinas College Jazz Camp. TSgt Janus has performed with many notables in the jazz and pop worlds, including Barry Manilow, Manhattan Transfer, the Temptations, Ben E. King, Bob Newhart, Randy Brecker, Phil Woods and Kenny Wheeler. An accomplished doubler, he has played in the pit orchestras to over 30 shows, including several national touring companies. As a classical saxophonist, TSgt Janus has been featured with his brother, award-winning percussionist Matthew Janus, at national and international festivals and conventions, in addition to commissioning several new works for saxophone. TSgt Janus currently serves as a saxophonist in the Falconaires and Concert Band, and a piccolo player in the Marching Band.