Ryan Navales

Ryan Navales is a Lecturer and Director of the Chapman Jams Conservatory of Music at Chapman University's College of Performing Arts. With over a decade of teaching experience, he has served as an Adjunct Professor at institutions including Biola University, Cal Baptist University, Fullerton College, and Orange County School of the Arts.

Education:

• Master of Fine Arts in Instrumental Jazz Performance from California Institute of the Arts
• Bachelor of Music in Commercial/Jazz Performance from California State University—Fullerton

His expertise encompasses private applied guitar instruction across all skill levels, curriculum development for music conservatories, and interdisciplinary collaboration in performing arts education. Research interests focus on pedagogical methodologies for contemporary jazz and commercial music performance.

As a performing guitarist, Navales has contributed to pit orchestras, studio recordings, and live performances with notable artists including Joe LaBarbera, John Clayton, Vinnie Golia, and Alphonso Johnson.

In his role as Conservatory Director, he oversees program development and talent cultivation initiatives at Chapman Jams, fostering musical expression through ensemble coordination and community engagement.