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Testimonials
"Mark's experience and expertise is only surpassed by his ability to communicate his passion and knowledge to his students and fellow artists. Mark's teaching methods are impeccable. In closing, I would just like to state that any school or academy should consider itself extremely lucky to have someone of Mr. Ruhala's caliber on their staff because having someone like Mr. Ruhala without question guarantees that students will get some of the best theater arts training in the country." - Bobby Boling, Las Vegas Producer Recommendations from Mr. Ruhala's students from Broadway Training Center, a center Mr. Ruhala founded in 1991 in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York. "I can say with total confidence that my 12 years at BTC made me a more educated, cultured, imaginative and generally happy person. At BTC I learned the craft of performing in a disciplined, yet liberating environment, while at the same time forming friendships and gaining mentors that will surely last me a lifetime. Without BTC, I believe some of the biggest choices I have had to make in my life so far -- from education to personal--would have been much less informed and inspired. I was always encouraged by Mark and other instructors to pursue both my love of the performing arts and my desire for a strong liberal arts education. This was the reason I applied early decision to Barnard College, an all-women's school affiliated with Columbia University. Barnard has a strong and renowned dance and theater program, which I have taken advantage of in my three semesters there. Mark was extremely generous in helping me prepare application materials, and I am quite sure that his letter of recommendation stood out in my application, as I was accepted early my college of choice." - Ariana Barth, 12 year student of Mr. Ruhala, honors graduate of Barnard College "BTC has everything to do with who I am today. I came to BTC as a nine year old already knowing that I wanted to be an actor. I loved to perform. I loved to get up in front of people and make them laugh, even if it meant looking extremely stupid in the process. At that point I had a very superficial concept as to what theatre was--thinking A Chorus Line the movie was a genius example of film making. I started out the musical theatre program, and because of Mark I quickly learned the importance of real and honest work. It was about being human, and finding the beauty in our humanness. In that musical theatre class I soon began to find my natural ability to dance. I remember being at the recital at the end of my first year at Mark's and watching Celina and Debi in the Jazz III class thinking I wanted to do that. I will always remember that night Mark asked me to join the MRPE (Mark Ruhala Performance ensemble). After that night I would go on to be in various "ensembles" for the next four years. Throughout those years I became a teenager. Those were rough years but going to "Mark's" made it a hell of a lot easier. I had somewhere to be myself, and most importantly someplace where I could do what I loved. Mark always encouraged my singing, acting and especially dancing. I remember Mark letting me stay for the advanced Jazz class because I loved the combination to ALL THAT JAZZ they were doing, and letting me take boys' ballet on scholarship. This is just one example of many situations where Mark went out of his way to help me. One of the things that I respect most about Mark is that he didn't treat us like kids. We were young, yes, but we were always people. I think that (and the honesty of the work) is why every time I see a performance at BTC, the nine year-olds look like they're thirty. Another thing about Mark I love is the continual faith he has in me. What other man would let a sixteen year old choreograph and perform in an entire evening of work. Nobody. Without Marks teaching I certainly would not be in Julliard and I wouldn't be the person or artist that I am. Without BTC I wouldn't be as smart, nice, confident, and happy as I am today." - Adam Barruch, New York Choreographer/Dancer "If you are interested in learning the craft of musical theatre performance or desire to make it on Broadway, the Ruhala Performing Arts Center is the place to study!" - Carolyn Ockert, Broadway veteran and dance instructor, New York "Mark and Celina worked with my daughter Katie on voice and acting technique. They brought her out of her shell and helped her recognize her true potential on the stage." - Kim Root, St. Johns "We enrolled our daughter in dance and performance training with Mark Ruhala more than two years ago and she has steadily advanced and improved her technique. We consider the Ruhala Center to be the highest caliber of ballet and theatre instruction available locally and perhaps in Michigan." - Barbara Lezotte-Miller, Okemos "Every person was very happily surprised, intrigued and moved by the performance. It was a wonderful experience!" - Charles Sweeley, Haslett audience member at "Exiting" premiere “Ebb writes song lyrics, with sly wit; a beautifully assembled show at the Ruhala Performing Arts Center showed that off.” - Mike Hughes, Lansing State Journal August 19 2007 "Thank you so much for the very informative presentation at Performing Arts Students last Sunday. I found the exercises enlightening, and will likely use several of the breath techniques with my choir students." -Penny Draper, Ph.D., Performing Arts Students Coordinator, Lansing Matinee Musicale, Inc. "I want to thank you and your company for the enthusiastic welcome and exuberant performance last Friday. The MSU Community Club has rarely had such an exciting Holiday Reception. Everyone really enjoyed themselves. Thank you so much for your hospitality." -Kathy Esselman, MSUCC President I studied with Mark from the time I was eight years old until I was seventeen; in that time the work he led me through inspired my development into an open-minded, compassionate and confident individual. Some of the most profound experiences of my life happened in the processes behind the theater Mark put up; his guidance has been particularly powerful in teaching me how to live in the moment and value the process rather than just the result. These lessons have been invaluable in my subsequent journey into college at Harvard. He is a very caring teacher, deeply invested in his students and their growth. His intellectual inquisitiveness inspired me to learn as much as I could about everything, and not just theater. His teaching style causes us to grow tremendously not only as performers but also as people. I am deeply grateful to him for the influence he has had on my life. As a performer, he gave me a professional level of skill and standards for my work. Demanding but always supportive, he pushed me to discover my inner potential as an actress and develop my skill as a singer and dancer. -Samantha Barnard As a student of Mark Ruhala's I was given an invaluable opportunity for growth and learning. Throughout middle school and high school, it was my work with Mark that was my most meaningful education. I learned great lessons about commitment, work ethic, responsibility, self-discovery, group dynamics and of course the beauty of the performing arts. -Clarissa Pilder I have been fortunate to have known and worked with Mark Ruhala for over fifteen years. He is a gifted visionary of dance, teaching and directing. His style is fresh, innovative, inspiring and always passionate. His direction of my musical "FIONA" was magical: a stroke of masterful storytelling, bold choices, and winning results! -Neil Berg, composer/lyricist/producer The first time I worked with Mark Ruhala was on an original show called The Gold Watch and the story was based on the Motherpeace Tarot Card deck. I aptly named Mark The Magician (after one of the cards in the deck) and this is how I would still describe him today. After 10+ years as a professional colleague, our body of work together has been vast, always rewarding, often eclectic and challenging but always, always true to the craft. I have watched Mark work his magic on dozens of shows and have always been impressed by his process and the achievement of the end result. I have watched him breathe life into tired and true classics and also create visionary pieces of art through his dance and original theatrical and musical presentations. And what always remains is the commitment to the craft and providing a safe, joyous and non judgmental world in which we are all the better for having been a part of. I would not be the artist and performer I am today were it not for my work with Mark and I am prouder still to be able to call him my friend. Under his tutelage, I have thrived and grown as an artist and person and I would recommend him, his work and his studio to anyone who wanted to know what it was like to truly be in the arts as a serious performer or as someone who simply wants to sing and dance. -Valerie DiLorenzo, recording and cabaret artist, NYC "Mark Ruhala is that rare kind of artist who not only possesses an enormous amount of personal creative energy, vision, talent & discipline; but also amazing gifts of communication and inspiration with aspiring artists. He is a true gift and he is hungry to share it, teach it, and bring it out in others." -Kevin Connors, MTC Executive Artistic Director and Co-Founder "On behalf of the clients and staff at Origami, we would like to extend a huge thank you for your generous contribution to our organization. Opportunities like the one you offer, continue to enhance the quality of life for our clientele. Thank you!" -Erin Sullivan, Origami, Brain Injury Rehabilitation Center, Mason "Mark is a passionate and inspiring instructor. While working while him, I witnessed students making amazing breakthroughs- not just once but over and over again. He is as demanding of himself as he is of those around him, illustrating to all that he practices what he preaches. Mark gives his students a gift which is more valuable than a fleeting moment on stage- he helps each one find his or her own voice and the courage to use it. " -Fiona Santos, Artistic Director, Broadway Training Center, Adjunct Music Professor, New York University
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