Ryan Youens is a composer, arranger, orchestrator and music preparer with a track record of delivering high level scores for stage, screen and studio. He shapes music from concept to final materials, drawing on deep musical expertise, strong instrumental knowledge and a clear, practical understanding of professional production environments.

Across more than twenty years, Ryan has become a trusted collaborator for ensembles, artists, composers and producers. His work spans concert music, commercial releases, film and television scores, theatre productions and major live events. He has created and prepared music for the likes of New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Auckland Philharmonia, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the Australian Pops Orchestra. His arrangements and score preparation have supported performances by artists such as Alicia Keys, Neil Finn, Basement Jaxx, Ria Hall, Tami Neilson, Lawrence Arabia and Arli Liberman, with work presented at the Sydney Opera House, Formula 1 in Las Vegas, the opening of Sindalah Island in Neom, Saudi Arabia and the 37th America’s Cup, as well as major venues across Oceania, Europe, the Americas, Asia and the Middle East.

Ryan’s film work includes orchestration and music preparation for Neil Finn’s Song of the Lonely Mountain for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey and Billy Boyd’s The Last Goodbye for The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, both recorded at Abbey Road Studios in London. He has also contributed to numerous New Zealand screen projects across documentary, drama and historical storytelling, including work on Ka Whawhai Tonu and Pike River, alongside collaborations with leading New Zealand composers across a wide range of film and television productions.

As arranger for Synthony, Ryan has shaped more than 200 charts and plays an ongoing show director role in the production’s global touring operations. He has also contributed to the development of orchestral shows with Blindspott and Shapeshifter, as well as played a key part in the creation of Full Metal Orchestra. His engraving and editorial work supports leading New Zealand composers and publishers including G. Schirmer and Massey University Press, covering both contemporary works and the restoration of historic scores.

An experienced conductor, Ryan works regularly in studio sessions and has appeared at large public events, including conducting the Australian Pops Orchestra at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. His background includes educational, community and outreach projects, such as serving as the Kaitito Papori Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra Communities Composer, creating new works informed by cultural and historical themes.

Beyond his creative work, Ryan is frequently relied upon to anchor the practical, technical and organisational side of musical productions. He brings a steady hand to music preparation supervision, shaping clear, accurate and performance ready materials that hold up under pressure. His work extends naturally into broader musical coordination, supporting productions by aligning orchestral personnel, session logistics and communication so that creative and technical teams operate with clarity and confidence. He provides show calling and playback expertise, including for Synthony’s international touring productions.

Ryan trained at the New Zealand School of Music Te Kōkī, the University of Otago and the University of Auckland. He collaborates across genres and disciplines, bringing focus, clarity and creative insight to every project.

Youens, pronounced YOO-ins.