Hi, I'm Ryan Deken.

My name is Ryan Deken (he/him), also known online as pseudoname. I'm 19 years old and I'm a fan of programming and making music. I'm currently studying Information Technology as an undergraduate at Missouri State University. I'm an avid user, developer, and community moderator of Online Sequencer (OS), a browser-based DAW with a long history and a devoted userbase. You can often find me there, but in case you can't, other contact routes are linked above.

Education

I graduated magna cum laude from Fort Zumwalt South High School in 2023. While I was a student there, I participated in several activities, including marching band, Fort Zumwalt Combined Percussion (formerly Modulation Z), and National Honor Society. Currently, I'm studying Information Technology with a focus on Application Development as an undergraduate at Missouri State University.

Work Experience

In the summers of 2023 and 2024, I worked at Marco's Pizza in O'Fallon. While I reside in Springfield, I'm choosing to focus on my academic career rather than pursue a job. The store's phone number is 636-272-5833. My boss's name was Mae Engler, and their phone number is 636-293-7423.

Skills: General

I'm literate in Spanish after taking 4 year-long classes on it in high school, and I'm knowledgable in Excel, having taken an intensive semester course on it in college. I'm certified in most of the programming languages in the list below this section.

Having worked in food service, I can function well under pressure and with a smile on my face. I'm adaptable and I can communicate effectively, whether with customers or with teammates. I pride myself on my problem-solving and critical thinking skills, which I use on a regular basis to handle programming problems. I approach academic and professional situations with a willingness to learn, and social situations empathetically.

Skills: Programming

Here is a brief list of each programming language I know, in order of how familiar I am with it. If it's not here, I probably haven't used it before. (Italics means I've seen it and plan to learn it in the future.)

Javascript (vanilla)
HTML/CSS

I learned the above 3 languages all at the same time. It seemed daunting to me, as I had just gotten bored of Python, but I got the hang of them before long. (Obviously so, or you wouldn't be reading this.)

Java

I became familiar with Java as a consequence of taking AP Computer Science A in high school. I used to hate it, but it really grew on me. The syntax is familiar, and if nothing else, it's more efficient than JavaScript.

Python 3

Python was the first coding language I ever made a concerted effort to learn; I picked it up back in August of 2021. I learned then that I not only loved programming, but also had a natural affinity for it; I outpaced my school's entry-level programming class in the span of a month and change.

SQL

Every good website needs a database. I have rudimentary experience in SQL after setting up and hosting local instances of Online Sequencer for development purposes. I'm actively gaining experience with this language while taking a course in Database Management.

PHP

Did you know? 85 percent of Online Sequencer is coded in PHP. Soon I will make a concerted effort to learn it, but for now I can make the most of what I know.

Skills: Music

I have a decent amount of experience as a performance musician, and I consider myself somewhat knowledgeable in digital music production. I'm by no means accredited, but I am experienced.

I have 7 years of experience on trumpet, including 4 seasons of marching band. I started playing in 6th grade and have been under the direction of numerous accredited local directors. Additionally, I took private trumpet lessons for a year and a half.

I took piano lessons under a private tutor for 3 years, and I've given live performances at least 4 times, although never for a judge. I also gained 2 years of experience on synthesizer while participating in Fort Zumwalt Combined Percussion, formerly Modulation Z. While I participated, we won A-Class World Championships in 2022 and came in 2nd place in 2021.

My digital music production experience doesn't expand past OS - yet. I've made plenty of music there, but I've recently acquired a copy of FL Studio. (My discography is not available publicly because I consider myself a hobbyist, not a professional.)