zachary ragent

Violin

Zachary Ragent is a violinist based in Denver, CO. Originally from San Mateo, CA, Mr. Ragent now maintains an active and varied career as a performer and educator. Mr. Ragent currently serves as associate concertmaster of the Colorado Springs Philharmonic, principal 2nd of both Opera Colorado and the Boulder Philharmonic, and spends his summers as a member of both the Central City Opera (CO) and the Peninsula Music Festival (WI) Orchestras.

While embracing his role as a performer, Mr. Ragent is also a dedicated teacher and a firm believer that music should serve and strengthen the community around it. Mr. Ragent currently serves as lead teacher at West Denver Suzuki Strings in Wheat Ridge, where he maintains a private studio. Prior to his time in Colorado, he taught for el Sistema based music programs in both California and Michigan.

Mr. Ragent completed both a Master’s and Specialist’s degree in violin performance at the University of Michigan, where his mentors included Aaron Berofsky, David Halen, Yoonshin Song, and Andrew Jennings. While in Michigan, Mr. Ragent was a member of the Lansing Symphony Orchestra, and played regularly with the Ann Arbor and Toledo (OH) Symphonies. Complementing his orchestral endeavors, Mr. Ragent frequently gave solo and chamber music recitals in Ann Arbor and the greater community. Prior to his time in Michigan, Mr. Ragent completed his undergraduate studies with Roy Malan at UC Santa Cruz, where he served as both concertmaster of the University Orchestra and a member of the undergraduate Resident String Quartet.

When not playing the violin, Mr. Ragent enjoys running, cooking, reading, and most anything related to the outdoors.