ISM alum Ryan Kennedy earns second place in national organ improvisation competition

Congratulations to Yale Institute of Sacred Music and Yale School of Music alumnus Ryan Kennedy (D.M.A. ’24) on earning second place in the 2026 National Competition in Organ Improvisation, held during the American Guild of Organists National Convention in St. Louis, Missouri.

The National Competition in Organ Improvisation seeks to further the art of organ improvisation by recognizing and rewarding outstanding performances while encouraging excellence in the art of spontaneous musical creation. A flourishing tradition of improvisation remains fundamental to a vibrant musical culture, and the competition celebrates some of the finest emerging improvisers in the field.

Kennedy’s achievement continues a tradition of excellence in organ improvisation at the Yale Institute of Sacred Music and Yale School of Music. He studied improvisation with ISM/YSM professor Jeffrey Brillhart, who was himself the winner of the competition in 1994. Previous winners also include ISM/YSM alumnus Jerrick Cavagnaro (M.M. ’20), who received first prize in 2024.

Congratulations to Ryan on this outstanding national recognition!