Remembering Gianna Ranuzzi, longtime manager of Berkeley World Music Festival

"While at the university she taught English one summer in Taiwan and improved her Mandarin. Her education did not stop there, as she studied under the last student of Maria Montessori in Perugia, Italy, gaining her teaching certificate. This she put to good use in Minneapolis."

"A love of travel, art, crafting and jewelry developed into a business. She found interesting things in China, Guatemala, Cuba, Algeria and Italy as she traveled and turned them into jewelry that she sold to museum gift shops, to customers in the Telegraph Avenue area and to an extensive group of private collectors."

"After the business association severed its connection with the festival in 2019, Gianna went on to promote and manage it for many successful years. Under her management the festival featured an eclectic mix of noted musicians of local and international fame."

Gianna Jaqueline Ranuzzi was born in Los Angeles in 1950 and developed a diverse career across education, business, and community service. She earned a degree in Italian literature from the University of Montana and obtained a Montessori teaching certificate in Italy. She taught English in Taiwan and worked as an educator in Minneapolis before relocating to Berkeley. There she established a jewelry business sourcing materials from travels to China, Guatemala, Cuba, Algeria, and Italy, selling through museum gift shops and private collectors. Her involvement with the Telegraph Area Business Association led to her managing the Berkeley World Music Festival, which she promoted successfully for years, featuring local and international musicians. She also served on the Le Conte Homeowners Association Board and Berkeley's Parks, Recreation and Waterfront Commission.

Read at www.berkeleyside.org