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SCA Biography - THL Ryan Murdoch Mackenzie, CE, CW, CSO |
Ryan is a lowland Scot from a wealthy merchant family. He was educated in Italy, where he picked up an assortment of eclectic hobbies, some of which have proved profitable in the management of his family's merchant empire. With Queen Elizabeth's reign drawing to a close, Ryan resides primarily in England, making connections in the English court in anticipation of the accession of James to the throne. He resides in the Shire of Grey Gargoyles, Middle Kingdom.
Family website: www.mackenziegems.com
Gem Cutting. Ryan became acquainted with gem cutting at Boar's Head in December 1999, after seeing Jean Paul Pierrepont demonstrating it. He later acquired equipment to facet gemstones, and became apprenticed to Master Jean Paul Pierrepont at Boar's Head in December 2001. Ryan is actively researching faceted gemstones from period, is using computer aided design techniques to recreate the facet designs of period gemstones, and is producing replicas and adaptations of period gem cuts. He has started demonstrating gem cutting at events. Ryan also coordinated the editing and revision of the Middle Kingdom A&S lapidary criteria in 2003.
European Dance. This was one part of the SCA which caught Ryan's attention in 1997, and has stayed with him throughout. While initially interested in English Country dances, Ryan later concentrated in 15th and 16th century Italian dances. He is actively teaching dance, as well as researching and reconstructing period dances.
Brewing / Vintning. Ryan has been doing B&V since 1997. He has made several meads, fruit wines and ciders, fruit and spice cordials, and all-grain beers.
Embroidery. Ryan has also done Elizabethan counted stitch blackwork embroidery since 1997.
Oct 2005-Present:
Co-teaching at bi-weekly dance practices.
May 2004:
Coronation, Grey Gargoyles. Teaching a class/demo on Renaissance
gem cuts.
Nov 2003:
RUM, Swordcliff. Teaching a class/demo on Renaissance gem cuts,
and a 16c Italian dance class, Bizzarria d'Amore.
Oct 2003:
Musicians Day, Grey Gargoyles. Taught one 15c Italian dance, Rostiboli
Gioioso.
Oct 2002:
Weapons and Words, Greyhope. Gem cutting demo.
Aug 2002:
Pennsic. Taught 3 Italian dance classes based on reconstructions
that Ryan researched: Bizzarria d'Amore (Negri), Altezza
d'Amore (Caroso), and Tesara (Domenico).
Jul 2002:
Kingdom Craftspersons' Faire. Demonstrated gem cutting.
Mar 2002:
Terpsichore. Taught 2 intermediate English country dances:
Whirligig and Parson's Farewell (Playford).
Jan 2001:
Illinois Math and Science Academy. Taught 12 students in a 15 hour
for-credit class series on Renaissance dance, history and
reconstruction.
Dec 2000:
Chicago Cultural Center Winterfest. Danced in a demo for the
public, including Spagnoletta Regolata (Caroso).
Jan 2000:
12th Night, Tree-Girt-Sea. Taught blackwork embroidery class.
Ryan has also taught dancing and/or coordinated the evening balls for many local Grey Gargoyles and Tree-Girt-Sea events and practices over the past several years.
2003 3 Adaptations of 16th Century Gem Cuts
(Regional score: 1st, Kingdom score: 1st)
2002 Recreating the Gems of the Barbor Jewel
(Regional score: 1st, Kingdom score: 2nd)
1999 Strawberry Spice Cordial (Inter-Kingdom B&V Guild, Pennsic)
1998 Raisin Lemon Elderflower Wine (Regional score: 3rd)
2002 Beginner Equestrian Authorization
2006 - Present Exchequer, Midlands Region
2002 - 2006 Exchequer, Grey Gargoyles
1997 - 2000 Chronicler/Web Minister, Grey Gargoyles
May 2004 Order of the Evergreen (Gem Cutting)
Sep 2003 Order of the Willow (Dance & Dance Instruction)
Jul 2002 Order of the Silver Oak (Gem Cutting)
Dec 1998 Award of Arms
Ryan has been a financial software developer for Townsend Analytics, now a subsidiary of Lehman Brothers, since 1996. He is actively involved with the development of the FIX protocol, the de facto standard for electronic trading in the securities industry, and currently co-chairs the FIX Americas Regional Technical Committee.
Ryan was born in Aurora, IL and moved to Chicago in 1995.
Ryan's interests and hobbies, outside of the SCA, include:
Riding. Ryan has trained in dressage.
Fire Spinning and Fire Eating. Ryan spins fire poi, eats fire, and teaches others in these fire performance arts.
Sailing. Ryan has been sailing both for pleasure and competitively since 1995. He acquired a 30 foot sailboat, named Tesara, in 2003.
Modern gem faceting. Ryan has been a member of the US Faceters Guild and has competed in the 2002 USFG Single Stone competition.
Dancing. Ryan and enjoy contra and square dancing.
Electronics. Ryan is obsessed with electrical gadgets. He holds an Advanced class Amateur Radio license (N9TAS).