About Robert Ragoonanan

Robert S. Ragoonanan is a graduate of Luther College (B.A. in Music) and Bowling Green State University (M.M. in Orchestral Conducting). Robert has studied conducting with many well-known instructors such as Dr. Emily Freeman Brown, Alexander Polyanichko, Ovidiu Balan, Neil Thompson, Dr. Scott Weiss, and others, and keyboards with Frederick DeHaven, Dr. Laura Melton, Dr. John F. Strauss, and Dr. Jessica Paul. 

He has found success as a conductor across the United States and Europe, conducting orchestras, choirs, new music groups, and wind ensembles. In 2023 he was one of the recipients of the Advocate for Choral Excellence award from the Minnesota American Choral Directors Association, and he received Honorable Mention at the 2022 Orquestra de Camara de Cascais e Oerias Conducting Competition. Recent conducting work includes all or parts of Bach’s Cantata BWV 61, Beckstrand’s Blessed Are the Dead, Mozart’s Don Giovanni, and Sevier’s setting of Dorsey’s Precious Lord. 

Robert is also a sought-after collaborative pianist, harpsichordist, and voice coach, collaborating with various solo artists and ensembles. Recent performances include Snider’s The Currents, Jongen’s Aria et Polonaise for Trombone and Piano, Mahler’s Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen, and Weignein’s Rhapsody for Saxophone and Piano. In addition, he has worked as a church music director and organist throughout the Midwest. Recent organ performances include Sharon Willis’ Ascension Suite, Bach’s O Lamm Gottes, unschuldig, BWV 656, Samuel Adler’s The Feast of Weeks, and Naji Hakim’s Sonata for Trumpet and Organ.

Robert is currently the Minister of Worship and Music at University Lutheran Church of Hope in Minneapolis, MN, and the pianist for the Eagan Women of Note treble choir in Eagan, MN. He also freelances as a conductor, keyboardist, and educator. Learn more at robertsragoonanan.com.