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 Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater, Rosephanye Powell’s Ogo ni fun oluwa, and Michael Barrett’s Indodana. In 2025, Robert conducted the Michigan premiere of Dominick DiOrio’s Weaver of Eternities, reviewed by the composer as an “outstanding performance”. Additionally, Robert recently finished an extensive recording project conducting Minnesota Orchestra and Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra members, along with jazz instrumental and vocal soloists on a jazz/classical crossover album featuring the music of composer Ted Olsen. This critically-acclaimed album, Violette, is available now for purchase and on streaming services. Robert also is looking forward to conducting the premiere of Justin Rito’s Magnificat this December in Grand Rapids, MI with the Westminster Presbyterian Sanctuary Choir, Kirk Singers, soprano soloist Sarah Faasse, and chamber orchestra.

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, Vaughan Williams’ Five Mystical Songs, Maslanka’s Clarinet Concerto, and Nino Rota’s Trio for Clarinet, Cello 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, Howells’ Sarabande for the Morning of Easter and Paean, and Naji Hakim’s Sonata for Trumpet and Organ. His recordings of Willis’ Agora Suite and Brooke Joyce’s Four Advent Meditations were broadcast nationally on MPR’s Pipedreams radio program in 2022 and 2024, respectively.

Robert is currently the Minister of Music at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA. Learn more at robertsragoonanan.com. Learn more about Westminster Presbyterian at westminstergr.org.