Art & Music
Ryan Joy, An Artist Review
By Rena Charles

Overlooking Tampa Bay’s Garrison Channel from the lovely Velvet Room at Banana Joes, I had a chance to sit down with Ryan Joy, a popular, up and coming singer and dancer. We learned Ryan has a down to earth personality, she has a fun sense of humor and she doesn’t like Jalapeno poppers.

Castings - Models - Sitcoms - Films

"The type of music I’m really into is very versatile. I like rock. I like pop. I like R & B. I like hip-hop. I like country. I want to try to bring a little bit of each piece into my own so there’s a little bit of music for everyone out there".

When asked whom she admires, "Who don’t I admire!" With diverse inspirations such as Janet Jackson, Madonna, and Jennifer Lopez, it is no wonder her own songs such as He Said, She Said and Don’t You Hate It have a distinctive sound. J. Lo is a performer Ryan especially looks up to and hopes to follow in her steps as a triple threat dancer, singer, and actor.

"Singing and music are my main focus right now, but I’ve got acting right behind it." Ryan Joy has recently been attending casting calls for several Film and TV productions. A One life to live casting call, a casting call for a Britney Spears production, and several castings for sitcoms and studio films are just a few she’s been busy with lately.

Performing has always in Ryan Joy blood. It was as a dancer that she began building her entertainment skills. 

As a teenager, Ryan was a member of a hip-hop dance group and hosted a local MTV-style TV show. Later, Ryan turned singer and had one of her first breaks in a church parking lot. Meeting with her current manager, A’me Clark, she sang over the phone for one of her first winning auditions. Since then, Platinum Starz Management has been representing Ryan as her publicity agency.

Dance remains a core element of Ryan’s stage routine. 

"I have to dance", she says smiling, "That’s my major background."

 Tampa’s 2003 Guavaween Festival, Florida-Alive Summer Blast at St. Petersburg Beach, and Hot and Wet Miami Beach Show are a few of the concerts Ryan has performed in this year. Ryan has also performed at Georgia State University and took part in a meet and greet at New York City’s Planet Hollywood in May, 2003.

Singing, dancing and performing is only part of Ryan's life. Volunteering and attending charity events in Tampa and throughout the U.S. occupies much of her time.

"I’ve been very active with charities, I love it!"

She performed recently for the Make A Wish Foundation in Miami, Florida. All proceeds from the concert went to the charity. The Eating Disorder Alliance is another group Ryan volunteers for.

VTeens, a non-profit organization committed to encouraging teenagers to volunteer is Ryan Joy’s favorite charity. A few months ago, Ryan traveled with VTeens to West Palm Beach’s inner city.

"We helped hand out food and clothing to everyone in the neighborhood. That was an amazing feeling-- to be able to help people."

My editor, Arthur Carrera, and Cigars by Antonio’s joined in giving Ryan Joy a box of fine Robusto cigars as a token of appreciation for her charity work. Banana Joe’s pitched in with an ice cream treat that had Ryan, her manager and myself licking our fingers.w

After the ice cream break, we were treated to a impromptu performance by Ryan Joy as she began to sing a beautiful Gospel hymn a cappella. The crescendo of her high notes gave us all goose bumps as she peaked our sound meters.

Gallery: Ryan Joy at the Velvet Room Video: Ryan Joy sings a cappello Website: http://www.ryanjoy.com

Ryan was once a fan of Jordan Knight, a former member of the popular pop group New Kids on the Block. 

Ryan Joy opened for Jordan Knight December 4^th,  2003 in Chicago, testimony that she is indeed a rising star . - ArtsyStuff Magazine

Credits:
Production by The Art News Network -
Flash Design by Transit1designs
Production Location Courtesy Banana Joes, Velvet Room -
Food Courtesy ArtsyStuff Magazine and Banana Joe's -
Gifts by ArtsyStuff Magazine and Cigars by Antonios -