Principal violist Valentin Ragusitu joined the Toledo Symphony in 1999. Mr. Ragusitu has a long and distinguished career as principal violist, soloist and chamber musician.
Mr. Ragusitu began studying viola at age of 10 in his home country Romania. He received several first prize awards at the prestigious national string competitions in Romania including the well known “Darclee” Competition. Known for his contribution on the Romanian musical scene, in 1993, immediately following his studies at the Bucharest Music Academy he was appointed principal violist of the National Radio Orchestra and Assistant Professor at the Bucharest Music Academy.
In 1995 Mr. Ragusitu came to the United States as a violist of the ÙLipattiˆ String Quartet. He studied at the Leonard Sorkin Chamber Music Institute with Jerry Horner from Fine Arts Quartet, and earned his master of music from Northern Illinois University studying with Richard Young and Vermeer Quartet. During these years Mr. Ragusitu sustained an extensive educational outreach activity.
Mr. Ragusitu’s international honors include second prize at the 1996 Shostakovich International String Quartet Competition, second prize at Fischoff Chamber Music Competition in 1997 and fourth prize at the 1997 London String Quartet Competition.
He has recorded on London Olympia label with Romanian Radio Orchestra as a principal violist the complete orchestral works of George Enescu.
Mr. Ragusitu resides in Toledo where he teaches violin and viola privately.
