Ryanne McLaren

Collaborative Artist

Phone:  480.705.8888 x404

Christ Church Gilbert / Desert Foothills Lutheran

Ryanne McLaren was raised in Gilbert, Arizona, and has always been actively involved in her school and community music programs. She is excited to return to her hometown after years of study and travel and to join the Valley Christian fine arts team as collaborative artist.

In 2019, Ryanne graduated summa cum laude from Biola University with a B.M. in Piano Performance and a minor in organ. She is also a top graduate of the Torrey Honors Institute, Biola’s esteemed Great Books program. Throughout her undergraduate years, Ryanne served as accompanist for the Biola Chorale, the university’s flagship choir, as well as sang alto. She also frequently collaborated with the university’s wind, string, and vocal ensembles, as well as served in music ministry at First Presbyterian Church of Fullerton.

After Biola, Ryanne moved to Scotland to pursue her master’s in “Theology and the Arts” at the University of St. Andrew’s. During her time abroad, she was in high demand as a pianist and served as organ scholar at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church. She will receive her degree confirmation this autumn and is looking forward to continuing to pursue truth and beauty in her work as a practical musician and theologian.

In addition to music, Ryanne is a lover of literature, running, and coffee. She maintains an active and imaginative life, which she seeks to share through her work as a musician and writer.

University of St. Andrew’s, MLitt “Theology of the Arts”, 2020

Biola University, Bachelor of Music, 2019