In 1998 Ryczek enrolled in Toruń's School of Music, where he completed the curriculum in two semesters. In 1999, he moved on to the piano at the local musical high school, from which he graduated with honours in 2005. In 2008 Ryczek finished his undergraduate degree in composition with distinction under Grażyna Pstrokońska-Nawratil at the Academy of Music in Wrocław.
He is currently doing a master’s degree at the same academy, where he is taught by Grażyna Pstrokońska-Nawratil, Cezary Duchnowski (computer composition) and Zbigniew Karnecki (music for theatre and film).
Mateusz Ryczek is the winner of the 12th Crescendo National Composition Competition in Tarnów (first prize and Grand Prix in 2004). In 2005 he was awarded the Scholarship for Culture by the Mayor of Toruń. In 2008, his Rings of Saturn for double bass solo (2007) won the composition competition organised by the Wrocław Branch of the Polish Composers’ Union and the Polish Association of Bass Players, as well as first prize at the composition competition organised at the 3rd World Bass Festival in Wrocław.
Also in 2008, Mateusz Ryczek received an award for a choral song at the National Composition Competition at the Legnica Cantat Festival. In 2009 he received third prize in the Fides et Ratio competition for the song Knights of the Centuries to the words of Sandra Ryczek.
The composer takes an active part in the cultural life of Toruń. In 2005, his Dies Irae for choir and orchestra (2005) was performed at the concert Requiem for Beslan, co-organised by the Polish Humanitarian Organisation,. In 2007 Ryczek was invited to participate in an international project called Missa Solemnis, under which he presented his composition, Sanctus for soprano, mezzo-soprano, baritone, string quartet and organ (2007) during the Youth Circle Concert at the Warsaw Autumn Festival.
In the years 2007-2009, the composer co-organised a cycle of concerts titled Sound Factory, which presented compositions by the young generation of artists associated with Wrocław. Ryczka’s musical pieces have been repeatedly performed at Youth Circle Concerts at the Warsaw Autumn, the Musica Polonica Nova Festival in Wrocław, and the Poznań Interactions, among others. His compositions have also been presented at the 2nd Dialogues International Festival of Contemporary Music in Minsk, the Musica Electronica Nova Festival, the Epoch Music Festival in Duszniki-Zdrój, and the Ryszard Bukowski Music Days in Wrocław, as well as at concerts in Germany.