Member Directory

Ruth Valente Burgess

Cello Teacher SAA Member

Ruth Valente Burgess, a native of San Antonio, TX, has been the principal cellist of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra since September 2008. Prior to moving to Memphis, Ms.Valente Burgess was a member of the Hartford Symphony Orchestra for two years. During that time she completed a MM at the New England Conservatory in Boston, MA. Her previous studies included a year abroad in Germany, studying at the Musikhochschule in Freiburg im Breisgau, and a BM from Indiana University. Ms.Valente Burgess’s principal teachers include Janos Starker, Tsuyoshi Tsutsumi, Adriana Contino, Natasha Brofsky, Donna Davis, and Phyllis Kline.

She has also attended many summer festivals, which have allowed her to travel extensively. While on tour with the Schleswig-Holstein Orchester Academie, she performed in Germany, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Japan. Other summer festivals have included Chautauqua, Bowdoin, the National Repertory Orchestra, and Interlochen.

Ms.Valente Burgess is also an active educator in the Memphis area. She is a registered Suzuki method teacher in addition to offering traditional private lessons.