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2024 ACDA Western Region Conference March 6-9, 2024 Pasadena, California

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Mater Dei High School Ragazzi Boys Chorus, Silicon Valley
Chamber Singers

Grammy Award-winning Ragazzi Boys Chorus,
Based in Santa Ana, California, the Mater Dei High Silicon Valley, provides outstanding musical education
School Choral and Vocal Program serves a diverse and performance opportunities for boys and young
Southern California community. With eleven ensem- men ages five to eighteen. The largest boys’ chorus in
bles and nearly 300 singers participating in athletics, the San Francisco Bay Area, Ragazzi serves over 200
ASB, the arts, campus ministry, and more, the program choristers in six tiered levels from diverse backgrounds,
consistently earns superior ratings at competitions and developing tenacious and confident young musicians
festivals nationwide. They recently performed solo who pursue choral arts of the highest caliber together.
concerts at Carnegie Hall and renowned venues in It- Ragazzi is a prominent collaborator, providing vocal-
aly. Graduates of the program thrive in artistic careers ists for notable organizations, including San Francisco
ranging from the Metropolitan Opera to Broadway. Opera, San Francisco Symphony, Opera San Jose, and
Symphony Silicon Valley.
Jodi Reed, a conductor and pianist, be-
gan her musical journey with competitive Kent Jue leads the Grammy Award-win-
piano studies at a young age. Introduced ning Ragazzi Boys Chorus, Silicon Val-
to choral music in high school, she has ley, as the artistic and executive director.
led university, school, church, and com- Known for building high-level musician-
munity choirs. She was the first female conductor to ship skills through his engaging style and
win multiple first-place awards in Golden State choral rapport with youth, Jue is in demand as a guest conduc-
competitions. She has conducted her choirs on NPR’s tor, adjudicator, educator, and mentor. He has conduct-
From The Top, at Carnegie Hall, and St. Patrick’s Cathe- ed Ragazzi with the San Francisco Symphony and pre-
dral in New York, as well as iconic international venues pared vocalists for Opera San Jose, Symphony Silicon
like La Sagrada Familia and St. Peter’s Basilica. She is Valley, and West Bay Opera. He previously conducted
the director of choral and vocal music at Mater Dei youth choruses at the San Francisco Conservatory of
High School and a musical director with Millennial Music and performed with the Golden Gate Men’s
®
Choirs & Orchestras. Chorus. He serves as the California Choral Directors
Association Children’s and Community Youth R&R
Chair.

174 CHORAL JOURNAL January 2024 Volume 64 Number 5