A recent transport to the Seattle area, Maria Ritzenthaler is an accomplished violist, with extensive experience in performance and education. She received degrees in viola performance from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Roosevelt University in Chicago, and completed two years of a Doctoral degree in performance at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. She has held positions in many orchestras including principal of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, assistant principal of the South Bend Symphony, principal violist of the Great Falls Symphony as well as violist of the Cascade Quartet. Since moving to the area she has enjoyed performing with the Seattle Modern Orchestra, Federal Way Symphony, and Symphony Tacoma. Ms. Ritzenthaler has taught students of all ages through her experience at the Merit School of Music in Chicago, as Professor of Viola and Chamber Music Coordinator at Harper College, and has been teaching privately out of her home for over fifteen years. She has also been fortunate to participate in many outreach programs, including the Chicago Symphony’s Citizen Musicianship Initiative, and has seen first hand how music can change lives and build communities. She strives to cultivate an active and inclusive musical environment in all of the places she has lived. Maria joined our team in 2019 is thrilled to be the first violist/violin instructor at Voice in the Valley Music Studio!