ETJ 27: A Conversation with Professor, Worship Leader, and former Child Prodigy, Dr. Ruth Reyes

In this episode of Enjoy the Journey, I'm sharing a conversation I had with Dr. Ruth Reyes about worship, ministry, faith, family, and what it's like to be a child prodigy and study at The Julliard School in New York City.

Here is a video of Dr. Reyes playing the piece we discussed in this conversation: Chopin Ballade in G Minor, Op. 23: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9EH476A4cM

Wow!

Dr. Reyes is the Assistant Dean of the School of Communication and Creative Arts, and a Professor of Music at Johnson University.

Here's some other information about Dr. Reyes...

Pre-college studies at the Juilliard School
B.Mus. in Piano (Queens College)
M.A. in Piano Performance (Aaron Copland School of Music)
Ed.D. in Higher Education (Nova Southeastern University)
Rehearsal accompanist for Disney’s Epcot Center Candlelight Processional services
Leader of worship clinics and classes in local churches

She answers some questions...

My favorite part about teaching at Johnson is: The ability to impart to students skills I’ve gained over my long career in a very practical and relevant way.

When I’m not teaching, I love to: Travel, sample my husband’s culinary dishes, practice the piano.

In my classes, students can expect: Me to demonstrate musical and worship concepts in a practical way: on the piano or by singing or by helping students craft a good worship song.

My best advice to a new student in my program is: Hard work, patience, and dedication to practice and honing your skills will pay off in the long run and will add to your versatility in the marketplace or ministry.

Because of my influence, I most want my students to become: Confident with their God-given abilities – to use your giftedness, to respond to a calling in kingdom work, and to earn a living while doing what you love most is a very cool thing to achieve in life.

The myth-busting truth about my discipline I most want people to understand is: There are no easy shortcuts to being a complete worship leader and a musician: the deeper you are in the word, the more committed you are to spiritual disciplines, and the more dedicated you are to being the best musician in any setting, the greater your capacity will be for high impact in whatever you do.

A quote that influences how I live is: “The aim and final end of all music should be none other than the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul.” – Johann Sebastian Bach

--Source: https://johnsonu.edu/staff/ruth-reyes/

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If you'd prefer to watch this interview on YouTube, here's the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRZ0NSFRZnE&t=2s

If you’d like to contact me, you can reach me at [e-mail]. 

My website is www.arronchambers.com. 

If you’d like to check out the church where I serve or watch one of my messages, go to: www.journeychristian.org/media. 

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