Hailed as exciting, dynamic, and dramatic, Ryan Heller leads the ensembles of the award-winning Chorus Austin. Now in his 15th season, Heller, a Portland native, is proud to now call Austin his home.

Mr. Heller and Chorus Austin have won numerous awards, including two Telly Awards, the Dale Warland Singers Commission from Chorus America/American Composers Forum, a three time American Prize finalist, and winner of the national ASCAP/Chorus America Alice Parker Award. Chorus Austin’s recording of The Book of Rounds has been acclaimed as a “triumphant recording that is a gift of hope and peace for a world that desperately needs both;” their next recording, A Spirit’s Song, will be released in 2025, and features music set to text written by Mr. Heller.

Hailed as Co-Founder, Conductor, and Artistic Director of the Portland Vocal Consort, one of Portland, Oregon’s premier professional choirs, and spent a decade leading the Southwest Washington Symphony. In 2001, he co-founded the Columbia Chorale of Oregon, which he led until 2010, and also directed the internationally-acclaimed Pride of Portland Chorus from 2003-2019. Today, in addition to leading Chorus Austin, he is the director of the award-winning Alamo Metro Chorus in San Antonio. He has guest conducted the Austin Symphony Orchestra, Rose City Chamber Orchestra, and La Follia Austin Baroque, among others. He has prepared Chorus Austin for many appearances with the Austin Symphony Orchestra, the Georgetown Music Festival, two appearances with Andrea Bocelli, as well as numerous productions featuring the music of The Legend of Zelda.

In frequent demand as a conductor, clinician, and coach, Mr. Heller has led ensembles across the United Sates and has toured internationally in Italy, Germany, New Zealand, Finland, Estonia, Sweden, and China, where he led combined choirs from Texas at the Forbidden City Concert Hall in Beijing and at the World Expo in Shanghai. He will be appearing in Vienna and Salzburg in the Summer of 2025.