Kristy Ruf, Adjunct Voice Instructor at Avila University, is originally from the Kansas City area. Ms. Ruf received both her Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees in Vocal Performance from the University of Missouri-Columbia. She traveled to Boston, MA for graduate study and opera performance at the New England Conservatory of Music. Her doctoral study was through the Conservatory at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. She has taught at the university level at Avila University, the University of Missouri-Columbia, and at the Conservatory at UMKC.
As a performance, Kristy’s most memorable roles include Susannah in Floyd’s Susannah, Lady Billows in Albert Herring, Fiordiligi in Mozart’s Cosi fan Tuttle, and the title role in Puccini’s Suor Angelica. She has performed solo vocal recitals including works by Korngold, Wagner, Wolf, and Beach. Kristy participated in the University of Missouri Concert Series as a soprano soloist, performing Stravinsky’s Les Noces, Vaughn Williams’ Dona Nobis Pacem, and Bruckner’s Te Deum. She is also proud to have performed alongside Avila’s own students and faculty in their performance of Carmina Burana in Goppert Theater, and is so thrilled to see the transformation of this amazing space for students to utilize for performance and education!
Kristy’s heart lies in teaching, and in being a collaborative pianist, both at the university level and in her home studio. She has been a vocal instructor/coach and piano teacher for over 25 years in KC, Columbia, and Boston. The students who have graced Kristy’s doorsteps hold her greatest accomplishments. Her youngest piano student was four years old and her youngest-at-heart vocal student was 87. She treasures the collaborative spirit of music and also recognizes that being an instructor does not stop at music alone. Making connections with students in a one-on-one teaching environment is unique and treasured. Kristy values her continued education and learns new things as she teaches each student individually. Figuring out how each student uniquely learns is not often an easy task, but it is a treasured task.