News release Public Information Office   SLU 10880   Hammond, LA 70402   phone: 985-549-2341   fax: 985-549-2061 publicinfo@selu.edu Spring 2004 news releases Public Information home News archive Contact: Christina Chapple Date: 3/24/05   Click on image for publication quality photo  SOUTHEASTERN’S RATLIFF PRESENTS RECITAL APRIL 11         HAMMOND – Southeastern Louisiana University mezzo-soprano Joy Ratliff, a member of the Music and Dramatic Arts Department faculty, will present a free recital April 11 at the Pottle Music Building Auditorium.         The 7:30 p.m. concert is part of the department=s annual spring arts series, "Encore!"          Ratliff, accompanied by Southeastern music faculty colleagues Patrick Kerber, guitar, and Kenneth Boulton, piano, will perform works by John Dowland, William Schuman, Eric Coats, Richard Hundley, Henry Purcell, Gustav Mahler and Hugo Wolf.         A native of Hammond and Southeastern graduate, Ratliff performed leading mezzo-soprano roles with opera houses in Germany for many years. In addition to Carmen, Cenerentola and Suzuki, she specialized in the "trouser roles," especially Cherubino, Nicklausse, Hansel, Orlofsky, and Octavian.           Her vocal training has been with Ralph Roberts, Norman Gulbrandsen and James McDonald. She holds graduate degrees from Northwestern University and the University of Maryland, and has taught voice at Schwerte Volkshochschule in Germany, the University of Maryland, and Marshall University.         A member of the Southeastern music faculty since 2002, Ratliff teaches studio voice, lyric diction and song literature. She also has taught in the university’s study abroad program in Salzburg, Austria.           Last fall, Ratliff made her New Orleans Opera debut as Annina in Verdi's “La Traviata.” She performed at the Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts as guest vocalist with the Southeastern Wind Symphony during Fanfare, Southeastern’s annual festival of the arts. She and Southeastern music colleague Alissa Rowe also performed duets by Purcell at the regional conference of the National Association of Teachers of Singing in Monroe.         For additional information about the concert, contact the Department of Music and Dramatic Arts, 985-549-2184.