Today we’d like to introduce you to Ruth McNeely-Larson.
Hi Ruth, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born and raised in the Southern, Middle Tennessee area. Growing up I always had a tremendous love of music and performing. I had two musical idols growing up, Julie Andrews, and my Maternal Grandmother. My Maternal Grandmother Kathleen, Mammaw as I called her, was an amazing opera singer: a Coloratura class 1st Soprano. I always wanted to sing like both my Mammaw and Julie Andrews! As I grew, I was told repeatedly that I sounded like my Mammaw, which always filled me with so much joy! Both of my parents were musical as well, my dad sang tenor and baritone, and my mom was a 2nd Soprano. Growing up my home was always filled with music, whether it be golden oldies, Irish Music, 70’s rock/pop, Musicals, Operas, or just Disney! My dad was a self taught guitar player, and one of my favorite things was when dad would bring out his beat up, old, acoustic guitar. I learned how to harmonize early and loved nothing more than singing with my parents! I started in a local Children’s Choir at the age of 4, and continued with it into their Youth Choir devision, until I was allowed into the Adult Choir at the age of 16. Normally they would never have allow someone to transition to an Adult Choir until the age of 18, but my vocal talent was recognized, granting me an exception.
As I continued in life I went on trying to find my place in the world. I have always gravitated to jobs where I could feel like I was doing good in the lives of the people who came to where I worked. I have been a great many things from a Barista, to a Medical Administrative Professional, to a Martial Arts Instructor (one of my favorite past jobs), to a Security Officer at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel and Convention Center, to a Chiropractic Therapy Assistant in training at Sweeney Chiropractic, and an Accounts Payable Professional. I have even worked in the Entertainment Industry! Somehow I feel all of my experience up until now prepared me for a role where I am able to shepherd students into a wonderful future of Music. I have had a great deal of professional experience in the standard workforce as well as teaching, and I have also had a lot of experience as a performer, and a stage hand. All of these wonderful experiences prepared me to eventually find my place here at Glee Music Academy.
In my early 20’s I trained to be a print model, while simultaneously performing in stage plays. My favorite part I ever played in a musical was The Wicked Witch of the West in a local production of The Wizard of Oz. I have also worked professionally in small time films as a part of an amazing team for the 48hour Film Festivals, several years in a row. I even have one Big Screen credit to my name as an on screen extra in the movie Country Strong. Singing, acting, performing, or having a stage hand role have been where I feel most at home. I always dreamed of making it big one day, but life seemed to step in and change my plans, as life tends to do.
I moved to California in 2017 with big dreams. I got to help out with some Entertainment Productions with my now husband Chase Larson, and even finally pursued another dream of mine to learn Irish Step Dance! I trained at Aniar Academy of Dance with my amazing Dance Instructor Christine Byrne! Through her guidance and tutelage I went on to place, and win in several Irish Dance Competitions, one of which was considered a World Competition. That was truly a dream come true for me! Then COVID struck and changed the world. I was just in the beginning stages of forming an Irish band with amazingly talented friends. Then performing was no longer an option. So I switched gears and performed in a few online shows put together by, my now husband, and my Irish musician friends. It was a strange and hard time to be in the Entertainment Industry in any capacity! We all had to pivot and pretty much reinvent ourselves. Even the Irish Dance Competitions switched to Video Submissions. Then, in late 2020, I discovered I was pregnant with my now 4 year old daughter, Amelia. I continued dancing and competing in Irish dance competitions, and singing whenever I could, all the way up until the 8th month of pregnancy when my body told me it was finally time to take a break. Then it was time to become a mother, and I had to pivot yet again. As a mother my vocal ability was reserved to singing lullabies, telling stories, or just soothing my little one through the rough early stages of life. Then when it was finally time to return to the workforce, it was very hard to find places that would accept a part time schedule, or didn’t force me to come on-site to work. COVID was considered over, and the work-from-home force was pretty much dissolved. However, I didn’t want to return to an on-site job until my daughter was a little older and I felt she was ready to be in a day care or preschool environment.
I was beginning to feel like I would never find a job that fit both what I wanted, and needed; but right as Amelia was at the right age, I found Glee Music Academy. I found my home. I started as just a part-time lesson coordinator, who was quickly moved up to lesson coordinator plus show producer for our recitals, running lighting and audio. Then, after not even being here a year, my General Manager at the time recommended me for his position as he was moving away. After interviews and discussions, I became the full time, General Manager of Glee Music Academy, where I truly feel like all of my life experience, skills, and abilities, prepared me to be. I LOVE being able to recommend teachers to families looking to introduce music to their children, as well as being there to shepherd them, and listen to them when they need an ear. I now run a wonderful music school, where children thrive, and shine! I may not be the teacher, but I make sure the students have the best teacher for their needs. I have the opportunity to help them have the same joy of music that I had. Music changed my life and made me who I am today! Music speaks to everyone, conveying emotions and thoughts when we cannot express them otherwise. It lifts us up when we are down, shines through us when we are happy, moves us to tears, and speaks to everyone whether they can sing, play an instrument, or not at all. I believe music can make us all better people if we choose to use it for good. Thus the tag line that I created for Glee Music Academy, “Making the world a better place, one student at a time!” I am proud to be an integral part of making that difference.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I have had a very interesting life, with many ups and downs. Struggling to find your way to your dreams is just the way of life as an American. The struggle to find the path to one’s dreams is rarely straight and smooth. I have fought through not so great jobs in order to afford life, and doing the things that I felt supported the path to my dreams. Any person who is a performer will have a story of really terrible times until they finally “made it”, and even then, being the performer is rarely an easy cakewalk. It is fraught with it’s own struggles. My struggles have been finding my way to where I am now.
After Graduating High School, I didn’t initially feel the desire to go right off to college. However, when I was 20 I attempted to get into Middle Tennessee State University’s amazing music program. I auditioned, and was accepted immediately, but was faced with the only two options that were presented to me at the time: to pay for it outright, or get a Student Loan. The adviser I had at the time neglected to inform me of all of the Scholarship options that could have been available to me, so I was forced to make the tough decision to not attend as I did not want the pressing financial weight of a college loan in my life. So I continued to try to move forward on my experience and talent alone. I went to a school of modeling, but was basically told I was better suited to print or commercials because I wasn’t tall enough. I had a feeling that would be the case. I mean, I don’t know of any 5’6″ Fashion Models! So I went on to try to pursue Stage and film. I met my ex-husband Bobby when I was in my late twenties while on the set of a 48 Hour Film Festival project where I was one of the actors, and we ended up being married for 7 years. Bobby and I had a lot of Entertainment Adventures together, but we realized we were much better friends than we were Husband and Wife. We remained friends until he passed away from Cancer, and I still very much consider his relatives to be a part of my extended family. After we divorced, I moved out here to California. I still struggled here to find my place, but I felt I did a lot better than I was doing in Tennessee. I did several Entertainment Production jobs with my now Husband, Chase, and I made a lot of performing and musician friends along the way. However, finding my way to my original dream of being a working Singer, Actor, Voice Actor, and Stage Performer has still eluded me.
After all of the challenges I have faced, I am extremely proud to take on such a wonderful supporting role to future singers, musicians, and stage performers! I always had a love of teaching and coaching, so being the director of Glee Music Academy has really helped fulfill a great part of what I originally wanted to do. I may not be the star, but I am the best supporting role there is to shepherding others to their dreams. I have felt in recent years that perhaps I was meant for something else other than being the star. The life of a teacher, and those who support the teachers isn’t glamorous, nor does it make a comfortable financial living. It is, however, very worthwhile and fulfilling. I feel like I am still doing what I was put on this earth to do; sharing the love of music wherever I go.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Here at Glee Music Academy I specialize in guiding musical students to the best teacher for their needs, and in making sure my teachers have what they need to give their students the highest quality experience and education that we can provide. I run the business side of the school, but helping take care of the needs of the students is my favorite part! Most of my professional life I have been an Administrative Professional, but my favorite jobs have been teaching and coaching.
When I was younger I was a vocal coach to a few singers and even vocal coach to a band, helping them to find better harmonies. My other most favorite teaching job that I have ever done was teaching Martial Arts!
In my 20’s I was looking for a job the way we used to do back then, looking through the Yellow Pages!! I was looking through all of the businesses that I thought I would want to work for and called them on my Land Line! Kids today have no idea what that was like! One of the places my Yellow Pages kept falling open to was Whitlow’s Tae Kwon Do Training Center in Murfreesboro, TN. I have always been a fan of Martial Arts, Jeet Kune Do specifically. Bruce Lee was so incredible, and such an amazing human! So, after passing this same page several times, I decided to call them. I asked if they were hiring, and it turned out they were, but one of the questions that was posed to me was, “Are you interested in Martial Arts yourself?” I said I was, and I expressed my desire to learn Jeet Kune Do. This very much intrigued the person to whom I was speaking, and he said I should come in for an interview. At the interview, I spoke with (then) Master Brad Whitlow (now Grand Master). I remember how both intimidating and interesting that interview was. We spoke about the philosophy of Jeet Kune Do, and how it was important to have a base Martial Art to build from as Jeet Kune Do was comprised of aspects from ALL Martial Art forms. He then told me to take a Trial Class. He said he wanted to see me in the class room before he hired me, because he could tell a lot about me from that one class. So, I did! My first ever class was a Black Belt Class!! There I was, this 5’6″ white belt in a room full of adult, Black Belt students, some of them towered over me in height! So what do you do when you are surrounded with people far superior to you? You take the tremendous opportunity to learn! I had the BEST time in that class. Every student there was so helpful, and kind! They embodied everything I was lead to believe of Martial Artists. I felt completely at ease, and as it turned out, had a talent for it. Master Whitlow hired me after that, and I embarked on one of the greatest times of my life! As I worked there and was their Program Director, I continued learning Tae Kwon Do, and advanced through the ranks until I was able to take an instructors test. I passed and was given our sweetest class, the Tiny Tigers, comprised of little ones ages 4 to 6. They were my favorite class to teach! Then I continued to advance and was cleared to teach older more advanced students. My students loved me, and I loved them so much! There is nothing more wonderful than taking a kid from zero experience, and watching them grow and learn. I could step into a classroom full of rowdy students, stand before them, and call them all to attention! There was nothing better than going into the changing room at the end of the day, and finding the notes and art from my students. I took students that were completely resistant to instruction and authority, and guided them into structured, well behaved students of the martial arts. It was magical!!! Before I left, I was a 2nd Degree Black belt, specializing in weapons, counter assault tactics, and women’s self defense. One day I would love to train again and test for my 3rd Degree. That’s on my bucket list for when Amelia is older.
While I’m sure there are others who have had great work experience, and have college degrees, I truly feel like my life experiences have set me apart as a person with a passion for teaching and helping guide others to become better. Life has taught me to never give up, to always keep going no matter what the setbacks, and to always forgive yourself when you fail. I have immense empathy, and compassion that could only have been gained through my specific combination of experiences. I feel that makes me qualified to help others in a way that is uniquely me, and I tend to surround myself with those who think like me as well. We all want to make the world a better place in the same way: everywhere we go, one person at a time.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Oh my, what a question! I was silly, fun, giving, and loving. I was a performer from the very start, and always felt at home on a stage or with a camera and microphone pointed at me. One time in specific was when I was maybe 6 years old. We went to our favorite mall at the time that was called Hickory Hollow Mall. They were hosting a huge exhibition of Lego and Barbie. In the Barbie section, we were walking through one of the full sized show rooms they had built, and I noticed there were kids in the room, but they all seemed to be staying away from this one lady and her camera man. The reporter was for our local ABC News Affiliate, News Channel 2. My mom was with me, and she pulled her aside and asked, “Would your daughter speak with us today? I have been having the hardest time finding a kid who wasn’t too shy to talk.” My mom instantly replied, “Sure!” I was invited over, and she asked me a few questions about my love of Barbie. The one blurb that actually aired on the local news that night was me saying proudly, “I love to change her dresses, and all that. And I can do anything with my little Barbie!” Even then, in front of a camera and a microphone was where I loved to be! My parents still have that interview recorded on a VHS tape back home in Tennessee!
I also was a hug fan of sci-fi, and a massive fan of Doctor Who. I still am! I was alway on “adventures” with the Doctor, and my front and back yard were the different planets on which we would find ourselves! I had such a tremendous imagination! I also would dance around pretending to be an Irish Dancer, and always sang as much as I could. My favorite Disney film was Beauty & the Beast, and I still have all of those songs memorized to this day! I wanted to BE Belle. My mom used to always say she would know something was wrong if I wasn’t singing. My all time favorite musicals at the time were Into the Woods and Phantom of the Opera, and my favorite Operas were Richard Wagner’s Götterdämmerung and Die Walküre. I made it my mission to learn as many songs as I could, and worked almost tirelessly to stretch my voice to reach the super high notes Sarah Brightman was so famous for in Phantom of the Opera. I didn’t rest until I did it!
We were never wealthy by any means, and I always wore hand-me-downs, or items from Goodwill or the Salvation Army Store. So I was mercilessly picked on by others of my own age. This lead me to always befriend those younger than me that were seen as the “lower class” or “un-populars” because I wanted to give them the friendship that I wished I could receive from my peers. I have always had a huge heart and wanted to protect and help those younger and less fortunate.
I was home schooled for my entire school life after Kindergarten. I always loved being in home school. I had the opportunity to focus on my class work without the distractions of a class room full of students. I had one-on-one instruction that you can’t get in public schools, and I always scored in the top percentile of students from my public school peers. When I graduated High School, in 2000, at that time a Home School Diploma wasn’t considered valid or recognized in the State of Tennessee unless you were enrolled in what was then called an Umbrella School (now known as Charter Schools). So, to prove my education to the State of Tennessee, I took the GED test, and passed with flying colors. So I can always tell people that I have both a High School Diploma AND a GED.
Growing up I put a high value on physical fitness, working out daily. I loved roller skating, ice skating, cycling, and bowling. I also really enjoyed a good game of Putt Putt Golf whenever the opportunity presented itself. My other interests were Knife Throwing and Archery. I also taught myself how to play piano. Otherwise I was a pretty normal kid, who loved spending time with friends, my dog Rascal, my cat Katie, and playing video games.
My current hobbies are dabbling in Guitar, and playing the Irish Hand Drum known as the Bodhran, but mostly my life is centered around giving my daughter her best growing up experience possible! I want her to have all of the opportunities that I had, and more! My energy in my personal life, and my professional life is directed at bringing up the next generation. It’s not a bad life to lead, to say the least.
Pricing:
- Trial Music Lessons: $29 for 30 Minute Trial, $39 for 45 Minute Trial, & $49 for a 60 Minute Trial
- 30 Minute Lesson Subscriptions: $219 per month
- 45 Minute Lesson Subscriptions: $299 per month
- 60 Minute Lesson Subscriptions: $379 per month
- Adult 5 Lesson Packages are: $250 for 30 Minute Lessons, $350 for 45 Minute Lessons, & $450 for 60 Minute Lessons
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ensembleschools.com/glee-music-academy/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gleemusicacademy/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gleemusicacademy
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@GleeMusicAcademy
