Praised by the San Diego Union-Tribune for showing “a remarkable degree of both subtlety and insistence. He has an uncanny sense of when to power forward…and when to hold back,” Ryan J. DiLisi was appointed Principal Timpanist of the San Diego Symphony in October 2010. Prior to joining the San Diego Symphony, Mr. DiLisi held the positions of Principal Timpanist of Symphony in C and Assistant Timpanist of the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra. Additional highlights include appearing as a timpanist with the Philadelphia Orchestra and a percussionist with the New World Symphony.
Mr. DiLisi’s musicality and dramatic style have shaped him into an exciting soloist. At the age of 17, Mr. DiLisi won the Albert M. Greenfield Competition, soloing with the Philadelphia Orchestra. Additionally, he has performed as a timpani soloist with the New England Conservatory Percussion and Wind Ensembles and the San Diego State University Wind Ensemble.
A Native of Southern New Jersey, Mr. DiLisi began his formal studies with Don Liuzzi, Principal Timpanist of the Philadelphia Orchestra. Mr. DiLisi earned his Bachelor of Music degree, studying under Will Hudgins of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, from the New England Conservatory of Music. Following his roots, Mr. DiLisi returned to the Philadelphia area to earn his Masters of Music degree from the Boyer College of Music at Temple University, under the mentorship of Alan Abel and Angela Nelson, both Philadelphia Orchestra percussionists.
Upcoming engagements in the 2014-15 season include performing as Principal Timpanist of the Mainly Mozart Festival Orchestra and as a timpani soloist with the San Diego Symphony.
In his free time, Mr. DiLisi enjoys cooking, watching Italian soccer and spending time with his wife Katie.