Versa
J's Biographiestt
::
Ryan Ogrodny :: Henny
Jasiewicz :: Butch Jasiewicz ::
Stas Ogrodny ::
:: Dee-Dee Jasiewicz-Ogrodny :: Frankie
Gibala :: Randy Koslosky ::
Ryan
Ogrodny
Violin,
trumpet, saxaphone & vocals
Ryan
Ogrodny's love for music began when he was 2 ½ and was
performing along side his Pappi (Grandfather) who also played
the violin. Ryan, who is now 19 years old, began formal violin
training at the age of 3, and also at that age performed on his
first recording. He recorded again at ages 4, 5, 7, 12, and 19
with his family band Henny & the Versa J's featuring Ryan.
To date, he has performed on 17 CDs.
Besides polka, Ryan enjoys singing and playing country, jazz,
and classical music. Ryan appeared on the Live with Regis and
Kathie Lee television program where he sang and played a variety
of instruments. He has performed for Grammy Award winner Mark
O'Connor at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh and also along with
Ty Herndon. Ryan has appeared with Connie Francis through Latshaw
Productions. He has performed on various occasions at the Taj
Mahal in Atlantic City; in Wildwood, New Jersey; Ocean City, Maryland;
Seven Springs Resort and the Gateway Clipper in Pennsylvania;
as well as a trip to Europe, Caribbean cruises, and many appearances
throughout the United States. Ryan has performed a number of times
with Grammy Award Winner Jimmy Sturr and his orchestra, including
a performance along with Bill Anderson at Soldiers and Sailors
Hall and a television special in New York which was written and
directed by CMA writer Don Epstein. He also appeared at the IC
Light Amphitheater, and the Hot Country Jam at Starlake. Ryan
has also performed with many other top polka artists including
Eddie Blazonczyk. When at home, you can also find Ryan playing
in his Church on the weekend.
In addition to violin, Ryan plays clarinet, tenor sax, soprano
sax, and alto sax, bass, piano, guitar, and trumpet. He has received
various awards from different organizations such as Violinist
of the Year. Ryan and his musical ability was mentioned by President
and CEO of NARAS, Michael Greene, in USA Today. He was chosen
WQED Pittsburgh Musical Kid, and he also won first prize in the
City's Symphony Concerto Contest. Ryan was Salutatorian of his
senior class, and had first chair violin in the orchestra and
first chair clarinet in the band while at the high school. He
has also been concertmaster for the Pennsylvania Music Educators
Association Honors Orchestra, and honored in many scholar programs
such as Who's Who Among American High School and College Students
for 6 consecutive years Ryan had the lead in Oklahoma, The Music
Man, and The Pajama Game where he was nominated as Best Actor
for the Pittsburgh CLO Gene Kelly Award. Dave Crawley of Pittsburgh's
KDKA local news did a segment on Ryan where he was interviewed
and played all of his instruments. Last year, Ryan had the opportunity
to record a demo CD in Nashville and is in contact with CMT. He
was accepted to Carnegie Mellon University, but decided to attend
Duquesne University for Music Education. Recently he was featured
on a CD with his family band the Versa J's. The CD entitled Come
On Over received a Grammy nomination, and was featured in the
Pittsburgh Post Gazette, the Tribune Review, and The Daily News
in McKeesport as well as many other newspapers. KDKA's Dave Crawley
produced another television segment, Ryan appeared on Pittsburgh
Today Live with Jennifer Antkowiak, and WQED produced a documentary
about the nomination. Ryan was recently selected as a winner of
the McKeesport Symphony Society's 2005 "Stolarevsky Awards
for Service in the Arts" in the category of Instrumental
Professional.
E-mail
Ryan at: ryan@versaj.com
(412)751-1142
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