Three of the four judges on the popular TV show wanted Ryan on their team. 

The unassuming 19-year-old Bathurst student had barely opened his mouth when judge Seal slammed his hand down and spun around in his seat to claim Ryan for his team. 

Australian singer/songwriter Delta Goodrem followed, then Good Charlotte’s Joel Madden.

Only recording artist Ricky Martin, who has replaced country star Keith Urban, did not turn – although he still had praise for the local performer.

Ryan sang Matt Corby’s song Brother because he likes his style. 

He said he felt that by playing Corby’s songs he could learn a lot from him, and practised the song for months prior to the blind audition.

Ryan also writes his own music but is yet to send songs out into the world.

To see Ryan's performance of Brother on The Voice click here. 

“I’m sure some of them will be out there soon,” he said.

The judges choose teams of contestants through the blind audition process. 

Each judge has the length of the auditioner’s performance (about one minute) to decide if he or she wants that singer for their team. 

If two or more judges want the same singer, as in Ryan’s case, the performer has the final choice of coach. That coach then mentors them throughout the competition.

Ryan chose Seal to be his coach because they had been through similar things in their lives.

“I love the way he connected with me,” Ryan said. “As a musician he is fantastic – an international superstar who played little venues like me. To have three of them turn around was a big shock. Luckily for me they liked what they heard.”

Ryan said being part of the blind audition process was everything he thought it would be and more. He said he never expected to have such an opportunity.

“Singing is something I do for fun every day,” he said. “This show is really special because it gives young musicians like me an opportunity to show what they can do.

“I think the world needs more music.”

Ryan said he was terrified before taking the stage for the blind audition.

“There are four very well-established musicians sitting there judging you,” he said.

“To prove yourself in that situation makes you feel very vulnerable.” 

The fact that his older brother Mark and his best friend and housemate Rob Brigden were backstage for his performance made it very special.

“I tried out for Australian Idol in 2009 and was rejected from the first audition,” he said.

“That really shakes your confidence.

“Rob was the one who convinced me to put my video in and audition for The Voice. So all the credit goes to him.

“When I got called back I was so shocked.

See Ryan's audition video for The Voice here. 

“It also meant a lot to have my brother there, because I don’t get to see him very often.” 

On Monday night Seal was moved to learn that Ryan lost both his parents as a small boy.

It was because of this tragedy that he ultimately found himself in Bathurst as a boarder at St Stanislaus’ College. 

“It was a hard life at times,” he said. 

Ryan lost his father when he was four and his mum when he was six. They were English. 

“When mum died, my uncle came to get us and brought us to Australia,” he said.

Ryan came to Stannies on a music scholarship when he was 13. He performed in most of the school productions, playing Danny in Grease in Year 12, and once he turned 18 he started playing pubs as part of a trio. 

“I loved Bathurst and I stayed,” he said. 

He is studying Theatre Media at CSU, but has taken time out for The Voice. 

“Music is a different language that only certain people can understand,” he said.

“If you can immerse yourself, it becomes part of your life.”