Jim Ruggirello has been our Director of Music since 1996, having enjoyed a 30-year career in the arts as an administrator, performer and educator. He has held positions with the Long Beach Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Pasadena Symphony, Pasadena POPS! and Asia America Symphony. After graduating from CSU Northridge with degrees in piano and conducting he was a prominent conductor, vocal coach and accompanist in Southern California for 15 years. He was also the founding director of Orange County High School of the Arts' Opera Conservatory. In addition, he has served on boards, presented at conferences and been a grants panelist for Public Corporation for the Arts, Association of California Symphony Orchestras, American Symphony Orchestra League, California Arts Council, Los Angeles County Arts Commission, Arts Orange County and Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Department. Currently music critic for the weekly Gazette newspapers.