Andy Ryan — Program Instructor

Andy Ryan serves as a lead program instructor for Yes I Can Unity Through Music & Education, where his journey began over 15 years ago at the original Summer Meltdown Autism Awareness Festival under the mentorship of program founder Bret Lieberman. After building a successful career in documentary filmmaking and live production, Andy officially joined the Yes I Can team in 2023 to develop and implement curricula in event production, filmmaking, photography, and digital marketing for young adults with disabilities.

This full-circle moment has culminated in the Festival Project—centered around the Good Karma Music & Arts Festival—which is becoming a full-time program under YIC. Through this initiative, his students gain hands-on professional experience working alongside industry mentors, creating meaningful pathways to employment while challenging industry norms around disability inclusion.

Andy's approach to education is deeply informed by his extensive entertainment industry experience, including his role as cinematographer for the groundbreaking feature film "Carol Of The Bells," which made history with its inclusive cast and crew of individuals with disabilities. This unique combination of industry expertise and disability advocacy allows him to bridge the gap between classroom learning and professional opportunity.

When not teaching or mentoring students on production sets, Andy pursues his passion for visual storytelling through fine art photography, specializing in capturing natural phenomena like volcanic eruptions and the aurora borealis in remote locations worldwide, performing on bass at venues throughout the region, and producing original music for sync licensing. He is currently directing a feature documentary highlighting the journey of individuals with disabilities in the workforce, furthering his commitment to creating positive change through education and media.