Fairfield University Student Orchestra performs its final concert of the season April 12 | Press Releases

J Ratcliffe In its final concert of the season, the Fairfield University Student Orchestra will perform under the baton of Jamie Ratcliffe on Tuesday, April 12 at 7:30 p.m. at the Quick Center for the Arts. This free concert is an Arts & Minds presentation and it is open to the public.

Ratcliffe will conduct the full orchestra in a diverse program that includes Bizet's "Carmen" Suite No. 1, Schubert's "Overture in the Italian Style in C Major, D. 591," and Saint-Saens "Violin Concerto No. 3, movement 1," featuring violin soloist Kevin Goncalves.

As an adjunct professor at Fairfield University, Ratcliffe teaches applied private voice lessons, applied private piano lessons, in addition to her post as conductor of the Orchestra. She also serves as music director for the Village Light Opera Group in New York City. This spring she will conduct the Village Light Opera Group's production of "Carousel."

Privately, Ratcliffe teaches piano, voice and beginning guitar lessons through Greenwich Music in Riverside, Conn. She holds a position as alto section leader at First United Church of Christ, Congregational in Milford, Conn. and performs locally as a mezzo-soprano in the Connecticut and New York areas. Previously, Ratcliffe held positions with the Summer Chamber Orchestra and Reading Orchestra based in Danbury, Conn., as well as conductor of the Summer Community Band and assistant conductor for American Chamber Orchestra in Fairfield.

In June 2008, Ratcliffe earned her masters degree in conducting from the University of Oregon. During her time as a graduate student, she was conductor and founder of the Schubert Chamber Orchestra, a volunteer ensemble comprised of college students and members of the community. She also served as Director of Music Activities at Wesley United Methodist Church in Eugene, Oregon, as well as chorusmaster and conductor of the University of Oregon Opera Ensemble.