Ryan Seaver
Associate Organist
Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus

A recent graduate of Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ryan double-majored, earning degrees in both Theology and Catechetics with double-minors in Sacred Music and Music Ministry.

A proud alumnus of both SHCS and Knoxville Catholic High School, Ryan first discovered his love for the organ during his formative years. As a middle school student, he regularly accompanied school Masses, and by high school, he was faithfully serving as organist for the 7:30 AM Sunday Mass. During this time, he studied under Dr. Edie Johnson and also held the position of organist at Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Knoxville. While pursuing his undergraduate studies, Ryan was named an organ fellow at the Pittsburgh Oratory of St. Philip Neri and studied with Professor Nicholas Will.

In his role at the Cathedral, Ryan’s responsibilities include accompanying liturgies and providing musical support across parish events, as well as serving in a teaching and mentoring role within the Cathedral Academy of Music.

(Biography courtesy of the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.)

Ruth Bacon
Violinist

Ruth has played the violin for as long as she can remember. Growing up in Albuquerque, New Mexico, as a student of Suzuki teacher trainer Susan Kempter, she remembers well the joys and struggles of the Suzuki journey. Ruth fell in love with performing in middle school, hearing the Mendelssohn Octet performed by older kids, and she knew that she wanted to be able to play like that. She earned her Bachelor’s of Music at the University of New Mexico, where she also completed her Suzuki long-term training under the direction of her first violin teacher, Susan Kempter. She went on to pursue a Master’s degree in Violin Performance at the Cleveland Institute of Music, studying with members of the Cleveland Orchestra.

Starting in her undergraduate years, Ruth has played with orchestras across the country, from the New Mexico Symphony to the Richmond Symphony, and she toured internationally with Star Wars in Concert in 2009 and 2010. With over twenty years professional teaching and performing experience, Ruth teaches Suzuki Violin lessons from her home studio to students from preschool age to adults. She resides in Knoxville, TN with husband, Scruffy City Orchestra Director Ace Edwards and their two children.