Originally from Hartford, Connecticut, Iffet Araniti-Davis began playing French Horn at the age of 9. Her talent was recognized early and her private teacher encouraged her to audition for The Juilliard School. Studying with Ranier C DeIntinis, formerly of the New York Philharmonic, and Julie Landsman, former Principal Horn of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Iffet earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s from Juilliard and in 1995 won 4th Horn in the Richmond Symphony. She became a sought-after free-lancer in Virginia, and began her teaching career at Longwood University. After four seasons with the Richmond Symphony, a neurological disorder forced Ms. Araniti-Davis to stop playing professionally. Iffet started a family and began teaching Yoga, and after 25 years away from the music profession, began teaching Horn once again and earned adjunct positions once again at Longwood and Virginia State University. Iffet resides in the West End of Richmond with her husband and their three cats, and is Personnel Coordinator of The Richmond Philharmonic.