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Derek Ratzenboeck, Second Violin Associate

Derek Ratzenboeck is a multi-faceted artist and has experienced a diverse career as a performer and producer. He has been a member of the New York City Ballet Orchestra since 2011 and has performed regularly as an Associate Musician with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra since 2019. From the halls of Lincoln Center to the soundtrack recordings of the Oscar winning film Joker to the film sets of Greatest Showman and Maestro, Derek can be seen and heard in many aspects of the entertainment industry. He has shared the stage with Tony Bennett for his 90th Birthday Celebration alongside Lady Gaga, Stevie Wonder, and Andrea Bocelli. In addition, he has appeared on the Today Show, LIVE with Kelly and Ryan, and performed at the Rainbow Room with Trisha Yearwood for her Frank Sinatra inspired album release. 

His career has taken him around the world performing on premiere stages and venues while touring with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, New York City Opera, and Schleswig Holstein Festival Orchestra in Europe, China, Japan, Brazil, and North America.

As an avid chamber musician and soloist, Derek performs and tours with the Knights Chamber Orchestra, has been a member of  the New Baroque Soloists, and has been featured in the Central Vermont Chamber Music Festival as well as Classical Tahoe. Derek also collaborates with independent choreographers such as Gabrielle Lamb (Pigeonwing Dance), highlighted in Dance Magazine, Cherylyn Lavagnino (CLD Dance), and Skyla Schreter. 

Derek received his Bachelor’s Degree in Violin Performance from Indiana University School of Music, postgraduate studies at Conservatorium van Amsterdam, and a Master of Music Degree from the Hochschule fur Musik Music in Munich, Germany studying with great pedagogues such as Henryk Kowalski, Jens Ellerman, Alexander Kerr, and Vesko Eschkenazy.