James Riccardo Conductor & Violin Ph: 612.722.8474 email: james@jamesriccardo.com James Riccardo began his study of the violin with his father, Nicholas, at the age of six and began playing professionally, with the Norfolk Symphony, at fourteen. He has studied with I.E. Feldman, Joseph Gingold, Ivan Galamian, Joseph Knitzer and Berle Senofsky. He attended the Eastman School of Music and received his degree in performance from the University of Michigan. After three years in the Army, as a strolling fiddler at the White House, Jim joined the Minnesota Orchestra. He later played principal second violin in the Winnipeg Symphony and for four years, held the same position with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, where he was a frequent soloist. Jim has soloed with numerous orchestras and is frequently heard in recital and on public radio broadcasts. For nine years Jim was music director and conductor of the Kenwood Chamber Orchestra. He also conducted the Jewish Community Center Symphony of Saint Paul for nine years.He taught violin, viola and chamber music at Macalaster College for fifteen years and held the same position at St. Olaf college for a decade. He currently teaches at the College of St. Catherine and has served as music director and conductor of the Health Sciences Orchestra at Fairview-University Hospital for the past ten years. Jim plays as concertmaster with the Plymouth Music Series and Twin Cities-Broadway Musical Orchestra at the Orpheum and State Theatres and is also active as a fiction writer and composer. He and his wife Pat, a psychologist, are currently seeking a life of perpetual and meaningful bliss and tranquility. EDUCATION: 1961-1963 Attended Old Dominion College, Norfolk, Virginia 1963-1964 Attended Eastman School of Music, Rochester, New York 1964-1966 Attended University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 1966 Received Bachelor of Music degree from University of Michigan RESUME: 1957-1961 First professional engagement (age 14) with Norfolk Symphony. Norfolk, Virginia. 1961-1966 Educational Studies - Old Dominion University, Eastman School of Music and University of Michigan (Bachelor of Music - Performance) Instructors of violin: Ivan Galamian, Joseph Gingold, Berle Senofsky 1966-1969 - United States Army Strings, Washington, D.C. (Performing in the White House) 1969-1972 - Member of the Minnesota Orchestra 1972-1973 - Principal second violin with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra 1973-1977 - Principal second with the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra 1976 - Concerto soloist with St. Paul Civic Orchestra 1978-1991 - Instructor of violin, viola and chamber music, Macalester College, St. Paul, MN 1979 - Concerto soloist with St. Paul Civic Orchestra. 1980-present - Performing artist, Minnesota Composer's forum. 1981-1990 - Music Director and Conductor, Kenwood Chamber Orchestra. 1981-present - Member, Minnesota Opera Orchestra. 1982-present - Member, Plymouth Music Series Orchestra. 1982-present - Member and frequent concertmaster, Lake Harriet Pops Orchestra 1984 - Guest conductor with Bloomington civic Symphony, Blmtn, MN. 1985-1993 - Music Director and Conductor, Saint Paul Jewish Community Center Symphony. 1985-1994 - Instructor of violin and viola, Saint Olaf College, Northfield, MN. 1987-1988 - Director of orchestra, string music and classroom instructor, Augsburg College, Mpls, MN. 1994 - Guest conductor with Minneapolis Civic Symphony. 1994-present - Concertmaster Historic State and Orpheum Broadway Show Orchestra. 1994-present - Principal violin, Prairie Home Companion, MPR. 1995-present - Music Director and Conductor, Health Sciences Orchestra, Fairview/University Hospital, Mpls, MN. 1995-present - Concertmaster, Plymoth Music Series. 1995 - Concerto soloist with Austin Symphony, Austin, MN.