The SBCC Music Department and the Santa Barbara Music Community has lost an incredible talent and beloved soul, Ken Ryals, who passed away suddenly on Thursday [Aug. 20, 2020]. Ken was an active performer, teacher and choir director for his entire adult life. As a vocalist, Ken worked in many different venues ranging from grand opera to musical theater, and small ensemble Jazz to cabaret entertainment. He began his professional career at the age of nine when he toured with the Tucson Boys Chorus. Later he toured with the four-part vocal jazz group, “Cloudburst” and spent considerable time performing on cruise ships and venues in Las Vegas and Reno. During his tours and travels, Ken performed with Linda Ronstadt, Stevie Wonder, and flamenco guitarist Paco Peña. Ken returned to Santa Barbara City College in the early 90’s to enroll as a music major and became a fixture in our department. He was a vocalist in all the choral groups at SBCC as a student and was a beloved peer. The friendships he made at SBCC would last his entire life. After completing graduate school at the University of Arizona, Ken joined SBCC music as a faculty member where he served as an applied voice instructor and choir director. He was a devoted teacher, colleague, and a proud alumnus of SBCC. Ken was an integral part of the success of SBCC music’s fundraising concerts in 2018 and 2019 where he shared the stage and duets with Grammy winner Michael McDonald. “Ken Ryals was a kind and talented man, a loving mentor and good friend with a phenomenal voice. He will be greatly missed by those who were fortunate enough to know him.” ~ Michael McDonald. Ken had been involved with the Santa Barbara Revels Company since its very first performance and was their Music Director through 2014.  Current SBCC Music Chair Nathan Kreitzer hired Ken as assistant director, section leader and soloist for many years at First Methodist Church. He was the Community Interfaith Thanksgiving service choir director, and section leader and soloist at Temple B'nai Brith. Ken found his musical home at Unitarian Society of Santa Barbara where he served as their musical director. Ken’s favorite operatic appearances were as Dulcamara in “Elixir of Love" by Donizetti, Don Alfonso in “Cosi Fan Tutte” by Mozart and the title role in Gianni “Schicchi by Puccini."  His favorite musical theater appearances were as the Padre in “Man of La Mancha" and Second Man in “Closer than Ever." While at SBCC, Ken’s prowess as a stage actor was recognized as he was selected by the acclaimed Theatre Group at SBCC to perform and act in several productions. His most iconic role was as The Big Bopper in the production of “Buddy, The Buddy Holly Story” directed by Rick Mokler. The Santa Barbara News Press stated that “Ken Ryals recreated the role of the Big Bopper with aplomb”. Ken recorded a live CD entitled “Elements of Sunday Jazz.” This album is available on iTunes and Spotify. Former SBCC Music Chair John Clark said "I first knew Ken as an excellent student in my classes. I liked him right away. I would later hire him to work with vocalists in the Applied Program and direct our Jazz Choir. Ken was beloved by his students and colleagues; he was a team player and was totally dedicated to SBCC Music. His work in the Lobero fundraising concerts was outstanding. He coached our students to sing the very challenging vocal parts for the legendary Steely Dan and Michael McDonald songs. Nobody else in the department could have done what he did and he will be missed by all who knew him. SBCC Music will never be the same again." “Music and theater are where the stories of our lives unfold.  As we experience these unfolding’s, we are able to glean information that helps us live our lives more fully.”  ~ Ken Ryals Sincerely, Tony Ybarra for SBCC music Please visit this Facebook Memorial Page: https://www.facebook.com/welovekenryals/