As a vocal coach, Ratusz mentors people of all ages and skill sets. She creates performance opportunities for local, regional, national and international bands and solo artists, for four years hosted a blues jam in Asheville and for two years booked a Female Artist Spotlight Night where women from novice to professional were paid to perform and be showcased. Ratusz is a staff writer for WNC Woman Magazine ,where her monthly feature “Women Making Music” profiles regional up-and-coming to established female artists.

Patrick Boland graduated from the University of South Carolina with a degree in piano and music theory and composition. He has performed, composed and taught piano since the early 80s in Texas and now in Asheville, where he performs with some of the area’s best musicians and co-writes the children’s audio adventure series “Adventures in Sonoris” with his wife.

The concert is free and open to the public.

Ratusz will also begin teaching a vocal performance class at ICC’s Polk Center later this month geared to all levels of ability, from those who just love to sing to the aspiring professional.

Students will learn proper breathing, working with an accompanist, microphone technique, phrasing of a song, preparing an audition, calming performance jitters and more. The class will meet each Thursday from 5:30 – 7 p.m. for eight weeks starting on Sept. 26.

For more information or to preregister for classes, call Isothermal Community College’s Polk Center at 828-894-3092.

– article submitted by Kate Barkschat