Dr. John Antonio Ricarte begins his third year with the Brazosport Symphony Orchestra.

Known for his innovative programs, Dr. Ricarte earned a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Orchestral Conducting at the University of South Carolina under Donald Portnoy, where he served as Assistant Conductor for both the University of South Carolina Symphony and Chamber Orchestras. His previous training includes a Master of Music in Orchestral Conducting at Michigan State University under Leon Gregorian, and a Bachelor of Arts with a double major in Music and Speech Communication from Otterbein College in Westerville, Ohio.

Dr. Ricarte just stepped down from a ten year tenure as the conductor of the Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra. Under his leadership the FBSO performed such works as the complete Nutcracker Ballet with Ballet Forte of Fort Bend and the Messiah with the First United Methodist Church Chorus in Missouri City, among many other major works. He also teaches orchestra at Cypress-Falls High School in the Cypress-Fairbanks ISD.

Dr. Ricarte is the founder and Music Director of a newly developed professional orchestra, the Grace Symphony Orchestra. The Grace Symphony Orchestra which is under the umbrella of GraceWorks is the core component of a unique performance ensemble that incorporates classical music, drama, dance and art into performances with an emphasis on the higher and spiritual nature and intellect of its audiences.

Dr. Ricarte's experience includes working with a diverse number of groups from youth to adult, orchestra and ballet, to opera, wind, and choral ensembles. Dr. Ricarte was one of seven finalists chosen among young conductors from around the world to participate in a conducting competition held in Portugal. Recently he traveled to Romania and conducted the Satu-Mare State Philharmonic Orchestra.

A native of Lisbon, Portugal, Dr. Ricarte is fluent in French, English, Spanish, and Portuguese. Dr. Ricarte lives in Houston with his wife, a native Houstonian and eight year old daughter. In his spare time Dr. Ricarte enjoys spending time with is family and a small group of friends while constantly trying to improve his gourmet capabilities. His hobbies include running marathons, studying wines, watching films, reading and traveling.