Music is what feelings sound like.  ~Author Unknown

About Ruth Ratliff

Ruth Ratliff has over thirty years’ experience as a performing artist encompassing musical theater, jazz, sacred and classical repertoire.  Since 1995, she has carried over her love of singing to teaching voice.

As well as studying voice privately for many years, Ruth attended Mannes Music College in New York City and The New School for the Arts in Montclair, NJ. Continuing to pursue the latest in vocal technology, Ruth continues to study voice, through attending private lessons, seminars and workshops.

She is also a former member of the Pocono Vocal Arts Society, a classical performing group located in Stroudsburg, PA, and has held soloist positions for several northern New Jersey churches. She has performed principal roles in several musical productions with area stage companies, including the Municipal Opera Company of Allentown, PA.  Ruth was also the lead vocalist for the Sultans of Swing, a 17-piece swing band based in northern New Jersey. At present, Ruth and her husband are members of Jemini, a vocal/piano duo specializing in entertainment for weddings, private parties, and special events. 

She is the director of a soprano trio called the 'Divas Divine," which performs classical, musical theater and pop selections.  Ruth also performs a dynamic one-woman show called “Songs of the Heart” for special events. She teaches a vocal empowerment workshop called “Do You Love to Sing?” at county colleges and adult education centers in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. 

Professional Affiliations:

National Association of Teachers of Singing

Sussex County Arts and Heritage Council 

Past Member New York Singing Teachers Assn.
 

About Jim Ratliff

Jim Ratliff, pianist, studied extensively with Fred Guenther of The Julliard School of Music.   He has been a private piano instructor since 1991, and has held the position of Music Director of Walnut Valley United Methodist Church in Blairstown, NJ since 1992.

Jim was also the co-founder of a northwest New Jersey non-profit community theater group, the Hope Community Players, Inc.  He was musical director of their annual productions from inception through 1999.  He has acted as musical director for other theatrical companies in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania, including the Northwest Theatrical Alliance. 

His credits include: Man of La Mancha, Little Shop of Horrors, Lil Abner, Gypsy, Oliver, Peter Pan, The Wizard of Oz, The Club and Crazy for You.  Jim also founded and directed a swing band, the Sultans of Swing.  Jim formed the Jemini Music partnership with Ruth Ratliff in 1998.