ISB 2025 Convention Presenter — Raymond Irving

The Sylvan Waters Duo formed by the joining of double bassist Raymond Irving, with harpist Dr. Tula Ruggiero. After meeting during a run of the Nutcracker with the Shippensburg Orchestra in 2019, they began expanding the repertoire for harp and bass, transcribing classical repertoire and commissioning original works by contemporary composers. They concertize throughout the Mid-Atlantic, including performances at Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, WV, Hancock Town Hall in Hancock, MD, Bruton Parish Church in Williamsburg, VA, and The Stacy C. Sherwood Community Center, Fairfax, VA. 

 Mr. Irving toured the world with the United States Army Field Band. He is Principal Bass with the Prince George's Philharmonic and Shippensburg Orchestra, Associate Principal Bass with the Fredericksburg Symphony, and performs with the Maryland Symphony, Maryland Winds, and Two Rivers Chamber Orchestra. 

Dr. Ruggiero is Professor of Harp at Shepherd University where she teaches college level harp students, coaches chamber music, and instructs private students. She runs a private teaching studio, and plays principal harp with such groups as Shippensburg Orchestra and the Charles Washington Symphony Orchestra. She holds the Doctor of Music degree from Florida State University, and the Master of Music degree in Pedagogy-Harp from the Shenandoah Conservatory.