Kate Ryder – Pianist

Born in Sydney, based in London, Kate Ryder’s wide ranging international experience as a pianist encompasses solo work & collaborations with leading ensembles in dance, film, live electronics and theatre where she has established herself as a versatile and engaging performer. She has had many works created especially for her by leading composers here in the UK and abroad
Kate has a particular interest in extended techniques and unusual keyboard instruments – toy pianos, music boxes, antique keyboards, and prepared piano – incorporating them into her work, and commissioning, performing, recording and giving workshops on these unique instruments internationally. Her Toy Piano project, Toys Inc. creates an entirely new keyboard repertoire using her growing collection of tiny vintage pianos (1904 -1960), which range from one to three octaves.
She has created ensembles with duo pianist David Appleton, and Keynote + with harpsichordist Jane Chapman, with whom she was invited to be Visiting Artist at UC Berkeley, California in 2007 and again in 2008. She has also held artistic residencies at Brunel University, the University of Bogotà, Colombia, and Goldsmiths College, University of London.
She is currently Head of Instrumental Studies at Morley College, London where she also teaches courses in Chamber Music and C20th music history.
International festivals include: I.S.C.M., Huddersfield International Festival, Oxford Contemporary Music, Sonorities Belfast,
Warsaw Autumn, Wiener Musiktage, Es Festival Milan, Cutting Edge (99,02,04,05,06,09 series), Darmstadt Ferienkurse für Neue Musik.
Radio & Television include: recordings for BBC 3 & Hessische Rundfunks, Channel 4 Sound on Film, BBC 1 Omnibus
Collaborations include: Exposé, Icebreaker, Michael Clark @ Sadler’s Wells with Piano Circus, Appleton/Ryder Piano Duo with pianist David Appleton, Keynote+ with harpsichordist Jane Chapman, & improvising “Algorithmic Junkestra” Halal Kebab Hut.
Artistic Residencies:
(2003) In eye – En Oir Comunidad Artistica in Bogota,Colombia
(2004) Brunel University (ensemble)
(2005) Goldsmiths College, London University,
(2007-8) Berkeley University, California and Goldsmiths College with Keynote +