May 18, 2026
Jeffrey Jones-Ragona talks to Butler School of Music Students
Butler School of Music alumnus Jeffrey Jones-Ragona, who graduated in 2008 with a doctorate in choral studies, recently visited Hannah Neuhauser’s class to speak with undergraduates about his career and the many professional paths available after graduation.
Jeffrey Jones-Ragona talks about some of his current work
Jones-Ragona is now the music director for Gilbert and Sullivan Austin, where he selects repertoire, leads rehearsals, and conducts both orchestra and cast in performance. During the visit, students heard about his personal experiences, asked questions, and listened to excerpts from Gilbert and Sullivan works. Neuhauser also joined Jones-Ragona at the piano to demonstrate selections from the repertoire.
Jeffrey Jones-Ragona plays the piano while Hannah Neuhauser sings
After the class, Jones-Ragona reflected on his time at the Butler School of Music, recalling several influential professors. Among those he named were retired faculty members Darlene Wiley, Danny Johnson, and Craig Johnson. He also spoke warmly of Andrew Dell’Antonio, who supervised much of his doctoral studies. Despite their friendly personal relationship when it came to work, “He held my feet to the fire,” Jones-Ragona said. “My doctoral research was hardly a love fest,” he added, noting that the experience ultimately shaped his development as a scholar and musician.
Students ask Jeffrey Jones-Ragona questions during a Q & A section of the talk.
Now leading one of Austin’s longstanding musical institutions, Jones-Ragona maintains strong ties to the Forty Acres. Many productions feature Butler students and alumni, including the upcoming Patience, in which a current doctoral student performs the role of Archibald Grosvenor. The production opens June 12 and marks what Jones-Ragona describes as one of Gilbert and Sullivan’s “first mature operas,” written before the duo shifted toward more commercially driven works. He noted that its satire of social fads continues to resonate with modern audiences.
“In all my time doing this,” he said, “we’ve put together one of the best casts we’ve ever had.”
If you want to see Jeffrey Jones-Ragona or other current and former Butler students in action, Gilbert and Sullivan Austin’s Patience runs June 12–21, 2026. More information can be found at www.gilbertsullivan.org.