MUSIC DIRECTOR, Sandra Ragusa
Known for her vibrant musicianship, engaging energy, gift for communication, and jubilant spirit, Sandra Ragusa has electrified audiences all over the world. Drawing from her vast experience as a conductor and a flutist, she brings the spirit of a true performer to the stage. Ms. Ragusa is known as the orchestra’s conductor, developing a deep warm connection with each orchestra she works with. Recent debuts include conducting the Belgrade Symphony, Helsinki Radio Symphony Orchestra, The National Symphony Orchestra of Lithuania, The Berlin Sinfonietta, the Sofia Symphony of Bulgaria, and Sinfonia Varsovia of Poland.
Ms. Ragusa’s projects during the 2025–2026 season include concerts in Washington, DC; New York; Japan, Romania; Serbia; and Bulgaria; and she continues her work as Music Director of the Montgomery Philharmonic and DCflutes.
Ms. Ragusa has enjoyed working with many international soloists. World-class soloists with whom she has collaborated include Aaron Goldman – Principal Flutist of the National Symphony Orchestra, Ildikó Szabó – cellist, Sophie Mödig – soprano, Vanessa Barkowski – mezzo soprano, Patrick Vogel – tenor, and Christian Oldenburg – baritone.0
Committed to educating our next generation of musicians through social change, Ms. Ragusa enjoyed working in the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra’s OrchKids program, where she conducted the OrchKids Orchestra. Ms. Ragusa is in demand to conduct honor orchestras and serves on juries in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC.
A native of Los Angeles, Ms. Ragusa holds a Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting from Carnegie Mellon University and studied flute at the University of Southern California. She has been mentored as a conductor by Neeme Järvi, Pavo Järvi, Robert Page, and Colin Metters; her flute teachers were Julius Baker, Jeanne Baxtresser, and Roger Stevens. Ms. Ragusa has served on the faculties of California State Polytechnic University – Pomona, University of Southern California, Carnegie Mellon University, and Pasadena City College.
For more information, please visit sandraragusa.com.
