About your guitar coach

Ryan Ladd is a musician, producer, and educator with more than a decade of experience helping musicians grow in both skill and confidence. Based in Nashville, Ryan has toured nationally as a bassist, performed on Grammy-winning records, and produced music in his home studio, Sound Harbor. As a coach, Ryan’s passion is encouraging and supporting creatives—whether that’s guiding a student through their first bass line, collaborating with bandmates on stage, or helping artists capture their best work in the studio. His teaching approach blends technical fundamentals with real-world musicality, drawing from years of experience in genres ranging from jazz and pop to gospel and rock. Ryan’s students benefit from his ability to break down complex musical concepts into clear, accessible steps. He believes in nurturing creativity, building confidence, and making sure every lesson is engaging and fun. With a strong foundation in performance and production, he helps students not only learn their instrument but also understand how to fit into a modern band or studio setting. When he’s not teaching, Ryan can be found on tour with artist David Phelps, producing new projects in Nashville, or collaborating with his wife, Grace Gonzalez, on her music career.