EPOKA University invites you to a special masterclass on Opera Appreciation with Andrea Ridilla, a distinguished Professor of Music at Miami University, celebrated oboist, and passionate educator.

Opera is one of the most powerful and emotionally charged art forms, combining music, drama, and storytelling to create an immersive experience like no other. Whether you are a seasoned classical music enthusiast or simply curious about opera’s magic, this masterclass is an opportunity to explore its beauty, history, and significance through the insights of an expert.

Andrea Jayne Ridilla is a Professor of Music (Oboe and Opera Appreciation), and Area Coordinator of Woodwinds at the Miami University. She has received the Miami University Distinguished Teaching Award, and is a Performing Artist at F. Lorée-Paris.

Andrea Ridilla is a renowned performer and educator with a rich background in both music performance and pedagogy. Holding advanced degrees from The Juilliard School and the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, she has built an impressive career as an oboist, professor, and innovator in the field of music.

Her performance career spans multiple continents, with principal oboe positions in ensembles such as the Mason Symphony Orchestra, the Southwestern Ohio Philharmonic, and the Festival International Echternach in Luxembourg. She has performed at prestigious venues worldwide and has been a guest of the U.S. State Department, teaching and performing at institutions such as the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory and the St. Petersburg Conservatory.

Ridilla’s solo CD, L’Amore Italiano (2009), recorded with the Sofia Philharmonic, received critical acclaim for its expressive depth and technical brilliance. In addition to her contributions to performance, she is an award-winning educator, having received Miami University’s Distinguished Teaching Award in 2015.

She is also the author of Opera: Passport to the Liberal Arts, an innovative online textbook designed to introduce students to opera’s significance in the broader context of the liberal arts. Her students have won tenured positions, earned prestigious scholarships, and performed in prominent youth symphonies and bands.

Beyond her contributions to music education, Andrea Ridilla is a co-inventor of the U.S.-patented Ridilla model oboe gouging machine, a tool that has advanced oboe reed-making technology.

This masterclass is open to all students, faculty, and music enthusiasts—no prior knowledge of opera is required! Whether you’re a musician, a lover of the arts, or simply curious, this event promises to explore one of the world’s most captivating art forms and provides an opportunity for all to explore opera as a significant part of cultural heritage and its role in connecting diverse cultures through the arts.

Date: Tuesday, 25 March 2025

Time: 12:30 PM

Venue: Conference Hall

Don’t miss this rare opportunity to experience opera like never before!