# RyanDan

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Canadian musical duo (born 1979)

RyanDan Background information Born (1979-12-05) December 5, 1979 (age 46) Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.[1] Origin Toronto, Ontario, Canada Genres Operatic Pop Years active 2006–present Label Universal Classics and Jazz Members Ryan Kowarsky Dan Kowarsky

**RyanDan** (born December 5, 1979) is a Canadian musical, songwriting and producing duo, consisting of identical [twins](/source/Twin) Ryan and Dan Kowarsky, whose music is a mix of [pop](/source/Pop_music), [opera](/source/Opera), and [classical](/source/Classical_music).

The Kowarsky brothers were originally part of the boy band **[B4-4](/source/B4-4)** (also known as Before Four). They later worked as a vocal duo known as RyanDan. They have also produced for a number of Canadian artists including [Blake McGrath](/source/Blake_McGrath), [Danny Fernandes](/source/Danny_Fernandes), [Tyler Medeiros](/source/Tyler_Medeiros), [Mia Martina](/source/Mia_Martina), [Massari](/source/Massari) and others. They have also appeared as background vocals for [Shania Twain](/source/Shania_Twain) in concert.

## Career

### Career beginnings

Identical twins Ryan and Dan Kowarsky were born December 5, 1979, in [Cincinnati](/source/Cincinnati), Ohio to Adele Gould and Paul Kowarsky. The youngest of five children in a [Jewish](/source/Jewish) family, they grew up in the [Thornhill](/source/Thornhill%2C_Ontario) neighbourhood north of Toronto. Their father, Paul, a South African who attended King David Linksfield (a Jewish day school in Johannesburg, South Africa), is an operatic singer who frequently sang as a cantor in synagogues both in South Africa and after immigrating to Canada. Their mother, Adele was diagnosed with [Parkinson's disease](/source/Parkinson's_disease) in 2004. In high school, Ryan and Dan shared the lead role in their school's production of *[Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat](/source/Joseph_and_the_Amazing_Technicolor_Dreamcoat)*.[2]

### In b4-4 / Before Four

Main article: [b4-4](/source/B4-4)

At age 16, they presented themselves at the offices of [Sony Music Canada](/source/Sony_Music_Canada), and attracted the attention of record company executives when they sang "[Show Me the Way to Go Home](/source/Show_Me_the_Way_to_Go_Home)" in the reception area.[3] They were signed to a record contract soon after forming a boy band called [b4-4](/source/B4-4) along with their friend [Ohad Einbinder](/source/Ohad_Einbinder). They received a [Juno Award](/source/Juno_Award) nomination in [2001](/source/Juno_Awards_of_2001) for Best New Group, but lost to [Nickelback](/source/Nickelback). They also enjoyed some success in Germany as **Before Four**.

### As RyanDan

They eventually wanted to cultivate a more adult sound and fan base, and in 2006, they moved to [London](/source/London). They recorded their album *[RyanDan](/source/RyanDan_(album))* with producer [Steve Anderson](/source/Steve_Anderson_(musician)), who has worked with [Kylie Minogue](/source/Kylie_Minogue) and [Paul McCartney](/source/Paul_McCartney). They cite opera singer [Mario Lanza](/source/Mario_Lanza) as a strong influence on their music.[3]

Their debut self-titled album received critical acclaim including "The Face", which was co-penned by Stephan Moccio and for "Tears of an Angel" written by the duo in memory of their late niece, Tal, who died from a brain tumour at age four while they were recording the album on which it appears.[4]

Their scheduled follow-up album in 2010 entitled *Silence Speaks* was postponed and never released. The album was renamed *Imagine* but also failed to be released on schedule in 2011 and then in 2012. One song, "Is Love Enough (To Save the World)" has been released on Canadian radio with an accompanying music video.[5]

Ryan and Dan performed with Shania Twain during her Still The One show at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas which ended in December 2014. They have also performed with her at the Calgary Stampede and at Founders Week in [Charlottetown](/source/Charlottetown), [Prince Edward Island](/source/Prince_Edward_Island), Canada, on August 30, 2014.

## Music production

Ryan and Dan Kowarsky have also devoted their talents to production. Their experience includes songwriting efforts for several tracks on [Blake McGrath](/source/Blake_McGrath)'s *[Time to Move](/source/Time_to_Move)*, including "Relax",[6] [Mia Martina](/source/Mia_Martina)'s "[Latin Moon](/source/Latin_Moon)" and "[Stereo Love](/source/Stereo_Love)",[7] "[Automatic](/source/Automatic_(Danny_Fernandes_song))" by [Danny Fernandes](/source/Danny_Fernandes),[8] and a number of tracks for [Tyler Medeiros](/source/Tyler_Medeiros).[9]

## In popular culture

RyanDan's "Tears of an Angel", written for their niece diagnosed with cancer,[4] was used in a group dance routine by dancers during [episode 12 of season 10](/source/So_You_Think_You_Can_Dance_(American_season_10)#Week_5_(July_30,_2013)) of *[So You Think You Can Dance](/source/So_You_Think_You_Can_Dance_(American_TV_series))*.[10] The dance was designed by choreographer [Bonnie Story](/source/Bonnie_Story) who used the piece in an "anti-bullying" dance subject based on an actual bullying incident experienced by a friend of hers.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

In 2007, they also appeared on the BBC daytime TV cooking reality show *[Ready Steady Cook](/source/Ready_Steady_Cook)* as assistant chefs.

## Personal life

Ryan and Dan own a dog boarding camp just north of Toronto called Camp Cookstown.[11]

## Discography

### Albums

List of albums, with selected details, chart positions and certifications Title Album details Peak chart positions Certifications (sales threshold) CAN [12] AUS [13] BEL (Wa) [14] NED [15] SWE [16] UK [17] US Class. RyanDan Released: September 27, 2007 (Canada) Label: Universal/Decca Format: CD, digital download 8 60 60 28 47 7 18 MC: Gold[18] Imagine Released: March 18, 2014 (Canada) Label: Universal Music Canada Format: CD, digital download — — — — — — —

### Guest albums

- 2008: "[The Water is Wide](/source/The_Water_Is_Wide_(song))" (guest vocals) ([Olivia Newton-John](/source/Olivia_Newton-John) with [Amy Sky](/source/Amy_Sky) and RyanDan) (appears in album *[A Celebration in Song: Olivia Newton-John & Friends](/source/A_Celebration_in_Song)*)

### Singles

List of singles, with selected chart positions Title Year Peak Album UK [17] "Like the Sun" 2007 69 RyanDan "The Face" — "High / O Holy Night" — "Is Love Enough (To Save the World)" 2009 — Non-album singles "Open Arms" — "Tears of an Angel" 2010 —

### Songwriting and production credits

- 2010: "Relax" - [Blake McGrath](/source/Blake_McGrath)

- 2010: "Feel It" - [Danny Fernandes](/source/Danny_Fernandes) ft. [Shawn Desman](/source/Shawn_Desman)

- 2010: "[Girlfriend](/source/Girlfriend_(Tyler_Medeiros_song))" - [Tyler Medeiros](/source/Tyler_Medeiros) ft. [Danny Fernandes](/source/Danny_Fernandes)

- 2010: "[Automatic](/source/Automatic_(Danny_Fernandes_song))" - [Danny Fernandes](/source/Danny_Fernandes) ft. [Belly](/source/Belly_(rapper))

- 2011: "Latin Moon" - [Mia Martina](/source/Mia_Martina)

- 2011: "Please Don't Go (Say I Love You)" - [Tyler Medeiros](/source/Tyler_Medeiros)

- 2011: "[Stereo Love](/source/Stereo_Love#Mia_Martina_version)" - [Mia Martina](/source/Mia_Martina)

- 2013: "Heartbreaker" - [Mia Martina](/source/Mia_Martina)

- 2015: "Guilty as Sin" - [Dan Talevski](/source/Dan_Talevski)

- 2015: "My Religion" - [Dan Talevski](/source/Dan_Talevski)

- 2016: "Wicked" - [Tyler Shaw](/source/Tyler_Shaw)

- 2016: "Knock Me Off My Feet" - [Dan Talevski](/source/Dan_Talevski)

- 2016: "Rocket" - [Dan Talevski](/source/Dan_Talevski)

- 2017: "Birthday Suit" - [Dan Talevski](/source/Dan_Talevski)

- 2018: "The Wire" - [Dan Talevski](/source/Dan_Talevski)

- 2019: "Home Alone" - [Dan Talevski](/source/Dan_Talevski)

- 2019: "If I Ain't Got You" - [Dan Talevski](/source/Dan_Talevski)

- 2019: "This Is How We Do It" - [Dan Talevski](/source/Dan_Talevski)

- 2019: "Too Close" - [Ria Mae](/source/Ria_Mae) with [Dan Talevski](/source/Dan_Talevski)

- 2020: "Touch The Sky" - [Dan Talevski](/source/Dan_Talevski)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Regina_1-0)** [RyanDan Grew Up B4-4 Experiences](http://www.pressreader.com/canada/regina-leader-post/20080621/281792804784331) Regina Leader-Post

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Lester, Paul (29 June 2007). ["New band of the day: RyanDan"](https://www.theguardian.com/music/2007/jun/29/popandrock3). [Guardian Unlimited](/source/Guardian_Unlimited). Retrieved 13 October 2007.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Globe_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Globe_3-1) Renzetti, Elizabeth (13 October 2007). ["Twins Peak"](https://web.archive.org/web/20080205093711/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20071013.POP13/TPStory/TPEntertainment/Music/). *[The Globe and Mail](/source/The_Globe_and_Mail)*. Archived from [the original](https://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20071013.POP13/TPStory/TPEntertainment/Music/) on 5 February 2008. Retrieved 13 October 2007.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_4-1) "RyanDan are certainly two of a kind". *The Journal*. 24 July 2007. p. 35.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** [Music video for RyanDan's "Is Love Enough (To Save the World)"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1zUEJnDocM) Their sophormore album "Imagine" was released on March 18th, 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["INTERVIEW: Blake McGrath"](http://asapmusicblog.wordpress.com/2011/01/21/interview-blake-mcgrath/). 21 January 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Tag: RyanDan"](https://web.archive.org/web/20171206202929/http://bestfan.com/blog/tag/ryandan/). Archived from [the original](http://www.bestfan.com/blog/tag/ryandan/) on 2017-12-06. Retrieved 2011-06-22.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Danny Fernandes - Automatic Luv CD"](https://web.archive.org/web/20171207141426/http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=8345011). Archived from [the original](http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=8345011) on 2017-12-07.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["SALXCO"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110616002035/http://www.cprecords.com/tylermedeiros/). Archived from [the original](http://www.cprecords.com/tylermedeiros/) on 2011-06-16. Retrieved 2011-06-22.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Grate, Rachel (September 3, 2014). ["Why 'So You Think You Can Dance' Matters More Than You Think"](https://hellogiggles.com/reviews-coverage/so-you-think-you-can-dance-matters/). *HelloGiggles*. Retrieved 2022-01-10.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** [Camp Cooktown Official website](http://campcookstown.com/)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["RyanDan Diary.com: RyanDan still in 8# on Soundscan Charts"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110708062154/http://ryandandiary.blogspot.com/2008/04/ryandan-still-in-8-on-soundscan-charts.html). *ryandandiary.blogspot.com*. Archived from [the original](https://ryandandiary.blogspot.com/2008/04/ryandan-still-in-8-on-soundscan-charts.html) on 2011-07-08.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Ryan, Gavin (2011). *Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010* (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 241.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** [Ultratop Belgium RyanDan discography (Belgium)](http://www.ultratop.be/nl/showinterpret.asp?interpret=RyanDan)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** [DutchCharts.nl RyanDan discography (Netherlands)](http://dutchcharts.nl/showinterpret.asp?interpret=RyanDan)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** [SwedishCharts.com RyanDan discography (Sweden)](http://swedishcharts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=RyanDan)

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-UK_17-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-UK_17-1) ["RyanDan | full Official Chart History"](https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/3331/ryandan/). [Official Charts Company](/source/Official_Charts_Company). Retrieved September 13, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["Canadian album certifications – RyanDan – RyanDan"](https://musiccanada.com/gold-platinum/?_gp_search=RyanDan%20RyanDan). [Music Canada](/source/Music_Canada). Retrieved September 13, 2022.

## External links

- [RyanDan.com](https://web.archive.org/web/20051217103356/http://www.ryandan.com/) Official Site

Authority control databases International ISNI VIAF National United States Artists MusicBrainz

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [RyanDan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RyanDan) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RyanDan?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.