Dr. John Antonio Ricarte, Cypress-Falls Orchestra Director

Dr. John Antonio Ricarte begins his eleventh year teaching orchestra at Cypress-Falls High School. Under his direction the orchestras have consistently achieved sweepstakes at UIL competitions. His students have also received numerous awards including membership in all state organizations.

Dr. Ricarte earned a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Orchestral Conducting at the University of South Carolina under Donald Portnoy, where he served as Assistant Conductor for both the University of South Carolina Symphony and Chamber Orchestras. His previous training includes a Master of Music in Orchestral Conducting at Michigan State University under Leon Gregorian, and a Bachelor of Arts with a double major in Music and Speech Communication from Otterbein College in Westerville, Ohio.

Dr. Ricarte is the founder and Music Director of a newly developed professional orchestra, the Grace Symphony Orchestra. The Grace Symphony Orchestra which is under the umbrella of GraceWorks is the core component of a unique performance ensemble that incorporates classical music, drama, dance and art into performances with an emphasis on the higher and spiritual nature and intellect of its audiences.

Dr. Ricarte's experience includes working with a diverse number of groups from youth to adult, orchestra and ballet, to opera, wind, and choral ensembles. Dr. Ricarte was one of seven finalists chosen among young conductors from around the world to participate in a conducting competition held in Portugal. Recently he traveled to Romania and conducted the Satu-Mare State Philharmonic Orchestra. This summer Dr. Ricarte was part of the Ohio State Texas String Teacher Workshop as a faculty instructor. Dr. Ricarte is also a frequent adjudicator at competitions around the state.

A native of Lisbon, Portugal, Dr. Ricarte is fluent in French, English, Spanish, and Portuguese. Dr. Ricarte lives in Houston with his wife, a native Houstonian and ten year old daughter. In his spare time Dr. Ricarte enjoys spending time with is family and a small group of friends while constantly trying to improve his cooking capabilities. His hobbies include running marathons, studying wines, watching films, reading and traveling.