Faculty & Research

Education

M.S., Media Arts & Science, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN
B.A, Applied Jazz, Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, MI
A.A, Music, Muskegon Community College
Keyboard Certificate from The Grove School of Music in Los Angeles
Advanced Recording Certificate, Maintenance and Troubleshooting Certificate, Recording and Media Production Certificate from the School Of The Recording Arts –The Recording Workshop
Studied Classical Piano, Musik Schuler/Frankfurt Germany
Performance Certificate, Berklee School Of Music

Research Interests

Ricardo's interests include Music Video Production, Music Technology Production Emerging Technologies, Singer/Artist development, and Vocal interactive Teaching Techniques.

Author, performer, instructor, composer Ricardo Laranja at age twelve, became the youngest professional musician in Brazil. At this time he began to teach and write his book, "Toque Rapido", in which he teaches his keyboard students according to his method.

Ricardo has performed all over the world; some of these places include Brazil, Germany, Spain, and also many states in the US. He was invited by the Thomas Jefferson Cultural Counsel and Service of Divulgation and Cultural Relations of United States (USIS) to give a recital in Brazil. Ricardo won an International Youth Talent Award in 1992. Some of Ricardo's accomplishments include:

• Produced audio and arranged for NBA Pacers Foundation Animated Commercial 2004
• Keyboardist and Music Director for Spring Lake Presbyterian Church since 2001
• Composed Music for Eli Lilly Health Center 3D Heart animation 2004
• Produced, directed Music Video for artist/singer Jessie Rogowski 2003
• Composed all music for the Indiana Medical History Museum DVD 2002
• Engineered and Mastered Spanish voiceover for Wishard Health Services, "STD interactive" CD ROM
• Professional Keyboardist performing from the age of 12 to present.
• Performed with Tommy Roe in concert (recording artist, sold over 15 million records).
• Performed for two Presidents.
• Composed, arranged, recorded and mastered music for MP3.com number one hit singer Arika Kimble
• Recording Engineer, Music Producer since 1987.
• Owner of record label and recording studio since 1993.
• Mastered Music for CBS Records, Recorded and Mastered music for Sony Products
• Performed in Germany Music Hall
• Performed in Madrid Spain
• Music instructor for 19 years
• MIDI user since 1983

Laranja composes, arranges, and records music for many artists, including a number one hit singer from Iceland, and MP3 R&B number one hit artist Arika Kimble. Laranja has made music for Sony products, and played for two Presidents of Brazil. He founded Laranja records and has released three original CDs of original music and a Voice CD-ROM. He produces many styles of music, everything from Jazz to Ballads, from R+B to Reggae to Dance, Salsa, Samba, Axe music and Bossa Nova. Ricardo has put together and leads the "Ricardo Laranja Band" to perform Brazilian music. The Band has performed all over Michigan and Indiana at Carnaval (Mardi Gras), and Festivals. Laranja Records will be releasing artist/singer Jessie Rogowski in 2005.