At just 18 years old, Santa Rosa native Ryan Woodard has already lived a remarkable musical journey. Diagnosed with autism at age three and nonverbal until nine, Ryan found his voice through music, literally. A gifted multi-instrumentalist, he plays guitar, piano, drums, and harmonica, but it is the guitar that first unlocked his passion.
He started playing the guitar when he was nine, and his father observed his attraction to music and his ability to memorize music scores.
At age 11, Ryan’s talent took him to a world-class stage when blues legend Buddy Guy invited him to jam together during a concert at the Luther Burbank Center for the Arts. That moment affirmed that music would be more than just a pastime.
Today, Ryan is a singer-songwriter and performer with his own group, the Ryan Woodard Band, blending blues, funk, classic rock, and surf music. His original compositions reflect both an eclectic taste and his deeply personal experiences. “My sources of inspiration to write music are my personal and emotional experiences, my dreams, conversations, and everyday life,” he explains. “I usually start with chords or a riff, then build a melody, and finally the words.”
Ryan admits songwriting hasn’t always come easily. “Because of my autism, I struggle with words,” he shares. “I didn’t know I was going to write my own music until 2023, when I took songwriting coaching at the School of Rock. They pushed me to write, and it gave me the confidence to do it.” One of his most recent songs, “I Can’t Be What You Want Me to Be,” reflects his desire to live authentically, without pressure to meet others’ expectations.
Ryan graduated from Montgomery High School in 2024 and chose Santa Rosa Junior College to continue his growth as a musician, following in the footsteps of both of his parents. His parents both took general education classes at SRJC, and his mom was a cheerleader here. “It felt natural to continue my education at the JC,” Ryan said.
While not yet pursuing a degree, Ryan is focused on taking courses that strengthen his songwriting and performance skills. “I love it here,” Ryan says with a smile. “The campus is amazing, I’ve made some great friends, and my favorite class so far was Music Theory with Mark Anderman. I also loved using the recording studio at the Petaluma Campus; it has amazing tools for people who want to record.”
Despite his young age, Ryan’s recognition reaches far beyond Sonoma County. He has been featured in Guitar World Magazine, interviewed by KRON-TV and KTVU Channel 2, and even caught the attention of Grammy Award-winning artist John Mayer. After Ryan’s cover of Mayer’s “Gravity” went viral with more than 10 million views, Mayer sent him a guitar and a handwritten note of encouragement. “It said, ‘Here’s a little something to help you keep expressing yourself. Your friend, John.’ I was speechless,” Ryan remembers.
Ryan is also proud of his Cherokee heritage, with strong family connections to the reservation where many of his relatives still live. He is also actively involved in autism advocacy, participating in organizations such as Best Buddies and Kulture City, and frequently performs at benefits supporting neurodiverse communities.
Looking ahead, Ryan’s goals are as ambitious as his talent: “The biggest dream for the future is to go on tour around the world, record albums, and win a Grammy. I want to be a performing musician for a long time.”