RYAN LANCE
Ryan was born in Crookston, MN and raised in Fargo, ND. From early on Ryan loved nothing more than to perform. Realizing his love for the stage, his supportive parents enrolled him in theatre classes and piano lessons in his first grade year. Ryan wrote his first musical in 3rd grade, which incidentally starred his current band-mate, Tim Kasper as "The Cowboy". The following years through junior high, Ryan performed in 4 plays a year while learning to play the drums, and guitar in his spare time. 1n junior high, Ryan began training at The Trollwood Performing Arts School where he formed his first a cappella group and was introduced to a career in dance by Broadway legends, Eddie and Kathy Gasper. By his senior year in High School he was dancing professionally with The Red River Dance and Performing Co. as well as instructing ballet, tap, and Jazz at TPAS. Although dancing was occupying most of his time, that didn't stop Ryan from playing piano for his high school Jazz band, and playing classical bass in the All State Orchestra for 4 years. His first year out of High School Ryan received a Ballet Scholarship with David Howard in New York City. After intensive studying in New York he came back home and the next few years he continued dancing, choreographing and writing musical compositions for the RRD & PC.

In 1990, while still dancing professionally, Ryan joined Darren, Tim, and original member Paul Dunkirk to form The Blenders. The Blenders started to flourish with national touring and recordings. He carried on both careers simultaneously for a couple of years before he had to make the difficult decision to leave his dancing career behind. With a new found path, Ryan focused now on his writing, arranging, and producing of music for The Blenders. In 10 years The Blenders saw a member change over with the addition of Allan Rust, recorded 7 albums and toured the United States rigorously.

In 2000, Ryan took time off from The Blenders to focus on other aspirations and spending time with his brand new wife Heidi Jo, his stepdaughter Mirna, and his new son Linus. During that time he co-wrote with Heidi Jo his first solo album entitled, "My Room" A concept album, recorded in his bedroom, that represented the type of musical styles one would find in his personal record collection. Putting a band of together of some of Minneapolis's finest musicians, Ryan put "My Room" to the stage in the summer of 2001.

Ryan, Tim, Allan and Darren rejoined as The Blenders in 2002 to record their 7th album "When It Snows". It is a project Ryan is very proud of, showcasing his songwriting in the tunes, "Tiny Little Christmas", "Twas the Night" and the title track, "When It Snows", as well as sharing co-arranging credit for the album with Darren Rust. Recently, Ryan formed "Cook 'n' the Bean Productions" with his wife Heidi Jo that umbrellas projects such as production design for The Blenders holiday tour. Currently he and Heidi Jo are developing an 80's showband called "Brat Pack Radio" as well as a screenplay they plan to direct sometime in 2004. Moving ahead, Ryan looks forward to future recordings and performances with The Blenders. When asked if he loves to create and perform, Ryan replied "I have to... I can't do anything else!"