Ryan Cassata is a transgender singer-songwriter and motivational speaker from Long Island, NY. By the age of 18, he has released an EP and full-length album, booked and went on several tours, played the world's biggest gay music festival, won the Harvey Milk Memorial Award, and appeared on national and international TV several times. He released his debut EP Distraction on January 12, 2011, and his debut full-length album The Theme of Humankind on May 28, 2011. Ryan plays guitar, piano, harmonica, and sings. At the young age of 14, in 2007, Ryan began to gig across Long Island. After 2.5 years he had played over 200 performances and completed a Florida tour, as well as two New England tours, titled "The Love Around the World Tour." Cassata performed at the world's biggest gay music festival, Pridefest Milwaukee, with other great musicians like Salt N' Pepa, Chris Crocker & LeAnne Rimes. Ryan Cassata is the founder of Artemendous Records, LLC. and Artemendous Radio Station as he conducts broadcasts worldwide to help the local music scene grow stronger. Ryan Cassata is the composer of the soundtrack for Loop Planes, an award-winning independent film that screened in the South by Southwest (SXSW) Film & Music Festival (2010), the Tribeca Film Festival (2010), the International Israel Women's Film Festival (with The Runaways) (2010), and 15 other film festivals. Ryan Cassata appeared on The Larry King Live Show (2009) and the Tyra Banks Show (2010) for being transgender himself. Aside from being a musician, Cassata is a strong advocate for the transgender community. He travels the states speaking at high schools, colleges, and conferences, sharing his story with a mission to stop ignorance and bring peace to the world. Cassata appeared in Hamptons Bay Magazine (2008), Go Magazine (2008), and Closer Magazine (2011) for his hard work and advocacy. He also appeared in Bay Shore High School's "Maroon Echo" three times for his advocacy along with his musical achievements. In 2011, Ryan Cassata won the first Harvey Milk Memorial Award for the new path of equality he had created at his high school. Ryan Cassata writes very passionate lyrics. His words are positive and inspirational to today's generation. Cassata hopes to spread this positivity across the country and around the world in hopes to make people smile and catch on to kindness. Ryan Cassata is doing much more than the average teen. He demands change, he demands revolution, and...he demands PEACE. Recently, Ryan Cassata was selected to be one of the keynote speakers for the biggest transgender conference in the United States, the Philadelphia Trans-Health conference. Ryan is the youngest speaker the conference has ever had.