Benita Ryan

Benita Ryan, Executive Director of Perform Opera in Italy, brings a varied wealth of experience from her background in arts management.

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She served as Program Administrator for the Professional Advantage Opera Workshop in Italy 2007 – 2011 and Aria Italiana’s Conducting Masterclass in 2011, also in Italy.  As Program Director for the James A. Michener Art Museum’s Miles of Mules public art project in Bucks County involving four participating Pennsylvania counties (2001 – 2005), she directed the project for the museum as well as created fundraising events raising significant funding for the arts and the museum.

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From 1992 -2002, Ms. Ryan served as Board President and then Executive Director of The Riverside Symphonia, one of New Jersey’s premier musical arts organizations based in Lambertville.  Under her helm, the Riverside Symphonia grew from a small budget orchestra of three concerts per year to 16 annual concerts and youth education and senior citizen outreach programs.

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In addition to project management, arts administration, concert production and concert tour coordination she has also spearheaded special projects for the International Hotels Group in Washington D.C. and the Russell Byers Charter School in Philadelphia as well as fundraising initiatives for numerous organizations.

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Ms. Ryan managed the United States tour of the Wroclaw Philharmonic in 2005, coordinating all logistics and on-site management.  She currently manages a 110-acre agricultural farm (Jericho Mountain Orchards, New Hope, PA) whose gardens are often featured on tours and photo shoots, and where she still resides.

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An experienced pianist and church organist, Ms. Ryan holds a Bachelor of Arts in sociology from Wheaton College, a Master of Arts in education from Bucknell University and Music Therapy certification from Montclair State University.