Andrea Leigh Ritcey

A "good ole, Nova Scotia girl," Andrea Leigh Ritcey was raised in a quaint little town just outside of Halifax, Nova Scotia. In 1994 she graduated from Acadia University with two degrees; Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Education and went on to a near twenty-year career in the public school system. During this time, she worked with an accumulated total of close to 4000 students throughout the province conducting numerous bands, choirs and hosting many public performances. Outside of her...See more

A "good ole, Nova Scotia girl," Andrea Leigh Ritcey was raised in a quaint little town just outside of Halifax, Nova Scotia. In 1994 she graduated from Acadia University with two degrees; Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Education and went on to a near twenty-year career in the public school system. During this time, she worked with an accumulated total of close to 4000 students throughout the province conducting numerous bands, choirs and hosting many public performances. Outside of her career, she raised two daughters, married the love of her life, opened up a private music studio, held numerous recitals, sang in a regular choral group, recorded three CDs and went on to own a giant English Mastiff which she reared from puppyhood to 200-pound adult. A musician, avid performer and community theatre actor, her favorite hobbies include golfing, down-hill skiing, gardening and interior decorating. Of the many shingles she could hang however, first and foremost would be "Teacher." It's in her heart, and in her soul. When her life went completely sideways with a cancer diagnosis, she realized, unquestionably, that she wanted to share her experiences in a memoir in order to help others. I Never Rang the Bell quickly materialized.Currently Andrea resides in a small seaside village near "world famous" Peggy's Cove and is now in full recovery. She has returned to her students and continues to teach music to many. On any given day you can find her strumming her guitar or hanging out ocean-side with the loves of her life. See less