LOVE LETTERS

"I first came to work with Celina at The Ruhala Holistic Arts Center during the pandemic. Both my personal life and the world at large were in what felt like a total upheaval. Through Celina’s Intuitive Guided Empowerment Program and her Reiki services I have learned not to live in the past, but to love and nurture my present self as well as those around me. Her teachings have allowed me to grow in love and confidence in all aspects of my life. From navigating a profession facing a serious mental health crisis, to my role as a mother and family member, to my recent foray into the performing arts as a middle-aged woman, she has lovingly supported me, body and soul every step of the way. The moment you enter the studio you are met with a calming, peaceful and loving environment. Celina’s ability to tune into what you need at each session is an incredible gift. I leave every week feeling balanced, loved and ready to embrace life’s next challenges and gifts. I am overwhelmed with gratitude to have found such a talented teacher. I would recommend her services to anyone, at any age, who is ready to truly embrace life."

-Laura Weber, DVM

Ruhala Center Client and Student

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 "Thank you so much for inviting me tonight. I was seriously blown away by the talent."

-Mark Dodak

Ruhala Center audience member

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"I have been doing Reiki with Mrs Celina for about 2 years and I love it! It has improved my spine and helped me with breathing. It always makes me feel calmer and it makes my body less tight. It’s great! I would totally recommend it!"

-Maddie Epley

Ruhala Center student

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"Thank you for giving Ana such an enriching experience!  She really enjoyed both classes and she really appreciated the two of you. "

-Christina Kelly

Ruhala Center parent

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"My daughter first started doing Reiki with Celina when she was about 5 years old. She had started having tics, and she couldn’t get through a sentence without an episode. They thought she might have had a seizure when she couldn’t stop shaking one day, so they were afraid something neurological was happening. She had an EKG, 2 EEGs and an MRI, and the pediatric neurologist said she was completely fine and nothing was wrong with her. But she was still having tics. So we started Reiki with Celina. We noticed immediately that her energy was calmer, more grounded, and within weeks her tics went away. She has been doing Reiki with Celina regularly for the last year or two, and it has been wonderful for her, not just for her tics but for her overall well-being. She quickly went from being “failure to thrive” to being “small and mighty,” and much of that is due to Celina’s skill. We are so grateful for Celina and would recommend her highly."

-Tracey Epley

Ruhala Center Student and parent

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"Mark, I simply wanted to take a moment to tell you that I appreciate you. I think you’re an excellent instructor and role model for young people."

-Eric Waggoner

Ruhala Center parent

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"I wanted to thank you for the wonderful opportunity you provide for children like Lucas to develop themselves in such a fun environment. I was very impressed with the showcase. It was a very moving and enjoyable moment. I think participating in improv has really helped his confidence and how he manages stressful situations in other spaces (public speaking at school or having to speak up in difficult situations)."

-Paola Leon

Ruhala Center parent

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"I’m at second city right now with my class for an improv presentation. I knew every game and helped lead everything and now I have an in with Stephen Colbert’s roommate. Thanks for teaching me because I’ve made a TON of great first impressions with the training I’ve got from you. "

-Maeve Wyble

Ruhala Center student

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"Gus has had such a fabulous experience and loved trying something new. Thank you for supporting and encouraging him.  We are Ruhala fans."

-Tara Hylen

Ruhala Center Parent

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Thank you, so very much for your effective vocal methodology! Even more valuable for me, has been that you, your sweet wife and wonderful son have shown me such great sensitivity, confidence & faith in a 69 yr old man's latent, but, never forgotten nor surrendered dreams of becoming a singer and tap dancer! 

Everyone else has told me I was too old, my time has passed. Not you, not your wife and not your son; not once have you shown me any signs of doubt. If you had, it might have been the last nail causing my courage to shrink & return to the closet in my basement and never come out again! Even your beautiful dog has shown me nothing but 100% acceptance, trust, confidence and pure love! It brings Joyous Tears of Gratitude & Love to My Hearts Eyes! I am forever in your family & dog's debt, because after the positive feedback I received from the audience, I believe more in myself and know your creative, excellent team can get me to "The End of The Rainbow!"

I love you guys ten thousand fold!

-Michael Gilbert

Ruhala Center private lesson student

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Thanks to Mark and Celina for nurturing our children! We {they} are blessed! 

☮️ and ❤️ 

-Becky Weyers

Ruhala Center parent

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Last year’s show was so enjoyable! The students are so talented and dedicated, and the teachers’ mastery clearly shows through them! Thank you!

-Inna McNamara

Ruhala Center parent

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"Ruhala Performing Arts Center helped our daughter gain the confidence to grow as a performer though dance and private singing lessons. Mark Ruhala allows kids to be innovative, imaginative and broad minded. Ruhala creates a fun and structured space for kids to grow and learn.  Classes at Ruhala encourage creativity and expression. We have seen our daughter’s confidence and ability increase under Mark’s direction. For anyone looking to take Performing Arts classes, we highly recommend Ruhala Performing Arts!

-Heather Frick & Jason Watson

Ruhala Center Parents

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"Ruhala Performing Arts has allowed me to step out of my comfort zone and find out who I am as a performer. Mark has challenged me and helped me grow into the singer I am today."

 -Isabelle Watson 

Ruhala Center Student

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"The Ruhala Center is an amazing place to learn and practice the performing arts. Mark Ruhala has a wealth of knowledge and experience and his patient style of teaching provides a warm and welcoming environment!

-Kurt S.

Ruhala Center student

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"Thank you for all that you do to create such a wonderful environment for developing performance artists!"

-Megan Maas

Ruhala Center parent

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“Mark’s experience and expertise is  surpassed only by his ability to communicate his passion and knowledge to his students and fellow artists. Mark’s teaching methods are impeccable! As Founder and Artistic Director, Mr. Ruhala guarantees without question that students will get some of the best theater arts training in the country.”

- Bobby Boling 

Producer, Director, Choreographer, Author- A Dancer's Manual

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“ 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

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“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

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“I have been extremely fortunate to have had Mark Ruhala as my friend and teacher for the past 15 years. He is a teacher that inspires each student to find what is intrinsically beautiful in themselves and learn to express it with both generosity and confidence. He himself is a constant student questioning his own process and pushing himself further for the profit of his students. I was fortunate to begin my relationship with Mark from a very early age. Already knowing that I wanted to spend my life in the theater, Mark quickly recognized the potential that I had, and helped direct me towards a path of living and working in authenticity. Mark nurtured my dancing and later supported my desire to create my own work. He has always given me, as he does to all he teaches, the safety to explore and break new ground. I continue to turn to him at every junction in my life, and am always reminded of the integrity of his essence. What is perhaps most important is that while Mark inspires his students to achieve technical prowess and utterly human performances–he applauds the best in each of us without us ever needing to step onstage.”

- Adam Barruch

New York Choreographer/Dancer

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“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

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“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

Marymount of Manhattan College, Summa Cum Laude Graduate

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“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

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“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

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“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, Mi.

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“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