Derek Lee Ragin

Countertenor Derek Lee Ragin is somewhat better known for his portrayals on the operatic stage than for the many concerts he has appeared in. His repertory is amazingly broad, encompassing works by Baroque composers -- Handel, in particular -- as well as twentieth century ones, like Benjamin Britten and György Ligeti. Ragin was born in West Point, NY, on June 17, 1958. As a child growing up in Newark, NJ, he was strongly attracted to music, first studying piano. At 11 he began vocal instruction at the Newark Boys Chorus School, but when he enrolled at Oberlin College Conserva...