Sean Ryan Baran

Sean Ryan Baran, 35, of Boardman and formerly of Austintown, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, July 26, 2024.

Born October 28, 1988, in Youngstown, Ohio, Sean is the son of Paul and Elizabeth (Cataline) Baran. Sean was a 2007 valedictorian graduate of Austintown Fitch. He graduated summa cum laude from Youngstown State University’s Dana School of Music with a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in music performance. Sean started learning piano under Dorothy Schwers and upon attending YSU, he studied piano with Dr. Caroline Oltmanns, who became his lifelong professor, colleague, and friend, and organ with Dr. Daniel Laginya. In 2014, Sean attended the Zodiac Festival in Nice, France where he studied for two weeks with Francine Kay. In addition to maintaining a private piano studio in Youngstown, Sean was also a resident artist at Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School in Midland, PA, where he ran the piano program and accompanied choirs. Sean was also the music director, choir director, and organist at First Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh and previously the organist at Boardman United Methodist.

Sean held a deep passion for music and the way music can connect us together. He took pride in each and every student, encouraging, challenging, and motivating them by carefully and thoughtfully approaching each student, and lesson, in their own individual way. Through Sean’s private studio and residency at Lincoln Park, Sean was able to support and inspire his students to not only play well, but to also develop a deep understanding, passion, and love for music that would extend beyond lessons and performances. Sean was also lovingly known to continue to provide support and encouragement for his students as they progressed beyond their time together as formal teacher and student.

Sean strived to merge performance with community engagement, believing that music, as a universal language, can connect people in significant and meaningful ways. Concerts organized by Sean have brought together multiple church choirs to raise money for the McGuffey Historical Society, the American Guild Organists, the Boardman High School Choirs, the Heartland Christian School music program, the YSU choirs, the Jefferson Area School District’s choral programs, SMARTS, as well as Mahoning Valley Sojourn to the Past. Sean served as the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra’s ensemble keyboardist during the 2018/2019 Stained-Glass and Classics series and most recently was the featured organist with YSO in a performance of The Pines of Rome in March 2024. Sean was honored to be included in YSU’s Alumni Recital Series during the fall of 2020 held in the McDonough Museum of Art where he presented music by Brahms and Persichetti in a program called “Turbulence and Transcendence.” 

Sean also served as the Vice President of the Youngstown Music Teachers’ Association. He was a member of the Ohio Music Teachers Association Middle East District, the Ohio Federation of Music Clubs, the Pennsylvania Music Teachers Association Greater Pittsburgh Chapter, and was an active member of the American Guild of Organists Youngstown Chapter. 

Additionally, Sean had a deep passion for nature. He frequented Mill Creek Metroparks, finding peace, calm, and beauty in what he always considered to be such a hidden gem in the Youngstown Metropolitan. His love for Mill Creek Park eventually led to him joining the Natural Resources Citizens Advisory Committee with the desire to affect Mill Creek Park in a way that would preserve its beauty and sanctity for generations to come.

A teacher at heart, Sean publicly shared insights and lessons learned from all of his passions, from educating others about music to posting beautiful pictures alongside his thoughts of the many parks and quaint towns he has visited in the Eastern part of the United States on his social media platforms. Sean experienced and appreciated life in a mindful and meaningful way and humbly sought to share his passions with everyone around him. Sean had an intrinsic sense of peace and serenity around him which would transfer to even passing strangers via his unforgettable smile. 

Sean shared over 300 videos of projects and performances on his YouTube channel, calling it, “[a]n archive of the various projects with which I spend time at the piano and the organ...I leave them here in case someone may find joy from these moments.” The moments will continue to live on and educate at www.youtube.com/@SeanRyanBaran.

Sean is preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, John and Audrey Cataline; his paternal grandparents, Frank and Mary Baran; and his aunt Mary Ann Marley.

Sean is survived by his parents, Beth and Paul; his brothers Justin (fiancé Tracy Baer) Baran and Nicholas Baran; his aunt and uncles, Kathy and Mark King and Michael Baran; his cousins, Ashley and Jon Kelm and Benjamin and Ashley King, Sandy and Chris Hetrick, Sue and Nick Thrappas, and Bill Mack. A special thank you to Adam Zagotti, Kimberly Delco, and all of the many friends, colleagues, students, and associates that have shared in Sean’s beautiful life. 

The family will receive relatives and friends on Saturday, August 3rd, at Boardman United Methodist Church, 6809 Market Street, Boardman, Ohio 44512, from 10:00 am- 12:00 pm. A Memorial Service will be held at the church at 12:00 pm. 

If you are unable to attend the Memorial Service in person, you can live stream it on the Boardman United Methodist Church (BUMC) Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/share/1zSrSmawQ9YQ1KZT/?mibextid=LQQJ4d 

In lieu of flowers or gifts, please consider donating to the Sean Ryan Baran Foundation: c/o Elizabeth Baran, 6765 Winterpark Ave., Austintown, OH 44515.

“Without music, life would be a mistake.” - Friedrich Nietzsche