Violinista Violinist Singer Composer Arranger dance live video art

MAIL: erikaragazzi@email.it
PHONE: +39 328 9083869

Following her grandfathers footsteps, as only a teenager Erika took part in the Violin auditions for the admission to the school for higher music education Vincenzo Bellini in Catania, Sicily, obtaining an excellent judgement.
Erika performs an intense concert activity as a solo player through the sicilian hinterland, and carries out a fusion between a classical repertoire made of Paganini, Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Vivaldi, Tartini, Brahms and Kabalevsky and new sounds connected to New age, Jazz, Rock, Ethnic music, Chill out, Irish music and experimental music, creating an original and technological style.
In 2006 Erika also recorded the soundtrack for a documentary called Graziella fumava le Alfa [Transl.: Graziella used to smoke Alfa] released in DVD by Infinity Media.
As a solo player she performed in important concert for the Province of Siracusa, for the Voluntary work centre based in Catania, for the Rotary club, for the KIWANIS club, for the Italian federation of women working in arts and business F.I.D.A.P.A., for the Archeoclub, for the municipality of Militello V.C., for the International Lions club, for the Italian Air Force, and so on.
She was appointed as music patroness by the Italian national association of women A.N.D.IT.
Among her most important concerts as a solo player we highlight:
- The one performed on the occasion of a conference on Sicilian baroque organised by the Archeoclub on 23 March 2007;

- KONZERT-DANCE in Militello V.C. (Catania) on 22 July 2007;

- "San Valentino in Poesia 2008" (Valentines day in poetry 2008) at the Odeon theatre, Lentini (Siracusa), on 14 February 2008;

- During the play Cchiù scuru di menzannotti at Gole dellAlcantara, Messina, on 8 August 2008;

- During Coriandoli sotto il vulcano (Transl. Streamers at the feet of the volcano) event in Misterbianco on 30 August 2008;
- "Il Caravaggio, International opening in piazza Università, Catania, on 11 October 2008;

and many other performances, even on the side of rock bands and classical music performers.

Erika is part of the lead violins of Young Orchestra Bellini in Catania, conducted by Maestro Giuseppe Romeo, with which she performs throughout Sicily and Italy and gains always wide plaudit both by public and critics thanks to her broad symphonic repertoire that does not neglect the opera one (Bellini, Rossini, Verdi, Puccini).
Erika has performed for important music association at Sangiorgi theatre in Catania, at Garibaldi theatre in Modica, in Militello V.C., at the greek ancient theatre of Palazzolo Acreide, at ortigia festival, at Bellini theatre in Catania; as much remarkable are also the concerts held for University of Catania, for Federico II foundation, for Theleton, for Italian organisation for organ donation A.I.D.IO., for the Blood donators association AVIS, for the Angelo dArrigo foundation.
Together with the Young Orchestra Bellini she performed in various shows in harness with actors Mariella Lo Giudice, Piero Sammataro, Enrico Guarneri, Donatella Finicchiaro.
In 2004 the Young Orchestra placed third at the National competition held in Santa Margherita Ligure (Genova) and awarding the price Victor de Sabata to orchestras from Italian music schools and conservatories.
In 2005 it recorded a documentary on musician and composer Vincenzo Bellini broadcast by Sky Classica.
Other yearly events are the traditional tribute to Vincenzo Bellini (on 3 November), during which Erika, together with the young Orchestra, performs opera pieces written by the famous composer from Catania, in harness with famous international singers such as Mara Lanfranchi, Aldo Caputo and Andrea Cesare Coronella; along with the traditional Christmas concert organised by the Provionce of Catania at Ciminiere auditorium.
Ethnic-Sicilian music was dealt with by the orchestra through the cooperation with high-level artists working in the filed of Sicilian folk, such as Lautari, with whom the Young orchestra performed various concerts mixing rhythms and sounds of folk with the ones of the symphonic orchestra. The Y.O. also recorded some tracks of their last CD Arrè, produced by Narciso records.
In March 2007 the Orchestra held a concert called Catna Ro at Sangiorgi theatre, in Catania, together with singer Etta Scollo and for the commemoration of famous Sicilian singer Rosa Balistreri at the 80th anniversary of her birth.
Throughout 2007 the Y.O. Took part in the 17th edition of the International Music Meeting organised by the analogous Young Orchestra of Veneto, performing various concerts in Padova and its province.
In March 2008 the Y.O. placed 2nd at the European competition for Young orchestras, Victor de Sabata award, in Santa margherita Ligure.
Erika is also part of the Symphonic Orchestra Vincenzo Bellini, conducted by Maestro Carlo Rizzari.
She is currently studying to perfect her music studies at Music Institute Vincenzo Bellini, in Catania, guided by Professor Gioacchino Pantò.