Robert Ritsema · cello

Robert Ritsema is Professor Emeritus of Music at Hope College where he taught from 1967 to 2000. A Hope graduate, he holds the Masters and Doctoral degrees from the University of Michigan. His first teaching position was in the Portage (MI) schools; while there he was a member of the Kalamazoo Symphony. Prior to coming to Hope, he was cello teacher and member of the resident string quartet at University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.

Dr. Ritsema was director of the Hope College Orchestra and the Symphonette, served for many years as department chair, and taught cello, conducting, and music history. He remains an active performer, appearing frequently in chamber music programs, and as principal cellist of the Marquette and Holland Symphonies. He has been guest conductor of Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Great Lakes Chamber, Gaylord Chamber, Holland and Marquette symphonies, and retired in 2002 from his successful 22-year tenure as director of the award-winning Kalamazoo Youth Symphony. Under his baton the group toured Europe, the British Isles, Australia and New Zeeland, and Brazil.