CONTINUING RYAN DEFFET’S LEGACY

Ryan Deffet’s family, in collaboration with members of his music community and ESS, furthers his legacy of creativity, generosity, and collaboration through two new annual programs:

Ryan Deffet Studio Grant
The Ryan Deffet Studio Grant gives one Chicago-based musician free access to a day-long engineered studio session at ESS. This opportunity allows the artist to further their vision in a professional environment that they might not otherwise have access to.

Ryan Deffet Engineer Apprenticeship Award
This is a 4-month fellowship for a beginning career audio technician to gain hands-on experience apprenticing in the ESS recording studio.

Together, these programs aim to increase accessibility to resources and opportunities for people working in the Chicago music scene, with a vision of contributing to a world in which anyone can realize their creative vision and make a life in the arts.

Applications and further details will be released in early 2026.