About this Artist

JOHN STEELE RITTER has been active as a performer in Southern California since 1960. During the past 40 years, he has performed with many community and chamber orchestras, in numerous chamber music ensembles, and as a soloist in Los Angeles. A graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, Ritter came to Southern California to continue graduate studies at the University of Southern California. Here he became friends with both T. K. Wang and Michele Zukovsky. They have performed together many times in the Los Angeles area. From 1972-74, Ritter played at many concerts with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, both as soloist and as an “extra” keyboardist, playing piano, harpsichord, and organ. It was through this association that he was introduced to Jean-Pierre Rampal, with whom he has performed throughout the world since 1975. Ritter has just returned from a three-week tour with Rampal in Japan. He has also performed many recitals with oboist Heinz Holliger since 1983.

Ritter was Professor of Music at Pomona College from 1963-1991. Since his early retirement from teaching, he continues to pursue a variety of musical activities.

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