Justin Raffa - Tenor
Justin Raffa comes to the Tri-Cities area from Tucson, AZ, where he received an M.M. in choral conducting at the University of Arizona. While in Arizona, Justin was an active member of AMEA and served on the Arizona ACDA state board as Repertoire & Standards Chair for Community Choirs. He began his professional career as a teacher in Bisbee, AZ, where he oversaw the high school choral department and theatre arts curriculum, in addition to directing the Bisbee Community Chorus and serving on the board of the Bisbee Arts Commission.
Originally from South Jersey, Justin is a graduate of Westminster Choir College of Rider University in Princeton, NJ, where he received a B.M. in music education with a vocal concentration and was awarded the Rider University President's Award. As a student, Justin studied conducting and group vocal technique with James Jordan.
Justin has sung as part of the Berkshire Choral Festival, Spoleto Festival USA, Voces Novae et Antiquae, the Tucson Symphony Orchestra Chorus, and continues to perform as a founding member of the Tucson Chamber Artists. As a member of the Westminster Symphonic Choir under Joseph Flummerfelt, Justin sang with some of the world’s leading conductors and orchestras.
Since his arrival in the Tri-Cities in August 2008, Justin has endeavored to build increased collaboration within the local performing arts community. His primary positions include conducting the region's premier choral ensemble, the Mid-Columbia Mastersingers, managing the Mid-Columbia Symphony, and directing the music program at All Saints Episcopal Church in Richland. Justin has also been an actor, music director and board member with the Richland Light Opera Company, music advisor with Washington East Opera, and conductor of the Three Rivers Children's Chorus. Additionally, Justin has served as an adjudicator for local festivals and competitions through the Columbia Basin Music Education Association and Washington State Educational Theatre Association.