Flutist Ruth Ann Ritchie has over twenty years of experience in the professional performance and nonprofit arts sectors. In 2007, she founded Astraios Chamber Music, a nonprofit arts organization dedicated to welcoming new audiences to classical music. She has established concert series in Texas and Colorado and led Astraios ensembles in performances across the US. In addition to her work with Astraios, in 2020 she became the Executive Director of the Orpheus Chamber Singers, the premier professional choir in North Texas. With Orpheus, she oversaw the first transition in artistic leadership in the organization’s 25-year history.

Ruth Ann has been a guest panelist at the National Flute Association’s annual convention, speaking on the topic of “Creative Careers for Musicians” and regularly presents to universities across the US on best business practices for performing artists. She also serves as a grant review panelist for the Texas Commission on the Arts. Previously as an administrator, she worked with Floot Fire Dallas and Hall Ensemble, and served on the Board of Directors for the Lewisville Lake Symphony from 2012-2015. 

Ruth Ann studied at the Cleveland Institute of Music and the Cleveland Music School Settlement before receiving a Bachelor of Music with Distinction in flute performance from Indiana University. She continued her studies at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, receiving a Graduate Diploma in 2006. Her primary teachers have been Tom Robertello, Alexa Still, Linda White, and Joseph Juhos. Ruth Ann also holds certificates of nonprofit management, marketing, and development from the Center for Nonprofit Management. She is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Chorus America, Chamber Music America, and the National Flute Association.