Music scene at CC is the tie that bound two alums

Donna Ragusa Bessette '90 and Andre Bessette '90

He’s a tenor.

She’s an alto.

Together, Andre Bessette ’90 and Donna Ragusa Bessette ’90 are in perfect harmony.

The crooning couple, who met during their freshman year at CC and became deeply involved in the College’s music scene, will return to their alma mater to sing pop and Broadway show tunes during their 15th reunion. The Bessettes will perform with VOICES, a six-member group of professional singers that formed three years ago, and will entertain reunion classes Friday, June 3.

“We’re very excited to be coming home to CC,” Donna said. The singers will perform much of the material that they are preparing for a show at the Bradley Playhouse in Putnam, Conn.

The story of Donna Ragusa and Andre Bessette has all the elements of a musical fairy tale. They met during their first year at CC. Both sang in the choir and they started dating in the spring. But it was on-stage rehearsals for a musical theater performance of “City Lights” that brought them closer.

“We were cast to sing a love song from the musical ‘Phantom of the Opera’ which was on Broadway at the time,” Donna said. “The director asked us if we minded kissing during the musical interlude of the song….”

Apparently not. The two married six years later.

Donna and Andre were an integral part of the a cappella scene at CC. She sang with the Shwiffs all four years and served as the director of the group for three while he belonged to CoCo Beaux. Both sang in the choir and performed in the College’s annual musical theater productions.

“Much of our social life revolved around our time singing,” Donna said.

Both Andre and Donna were psychology majors. She also majored in music.

“The psychology program at CC was very strong and we both agree that it provided a good foundation for us to pursue our graduate work,” Donna said.

They work for The Learning Clinic, a school and residential program for children with learning, social and behavioral problems in Brooklyn, Conn. He is director of the clinic’s day program and she runs a music therapy program she established. Donna also runs a similar music program from her home.

“We have fond memories of our professors,” Donna said. “I was especially grateful for the flexibility of the department to allow me to do a more unconventional practicum placement with a music therapist in the area. This helped me solidify my decision to use music in a clinical capacity.”

The Bessettes have two daughters, Nathalie, 6, and Yvie, 3. They moved to Connecticut four years ago from California and are happy to be about an hour’s drive from their alma mater.

With reunion around the corner, “we're hoping to catch up with some of our friends who we’ve lost touch with,” said Donna, “as well as some old singing buddies.”