Story, Song, and Perseverance: Dr. Marques Ruff Inspires as Visiting Artist

KO welcomed Dr. Marques J. Ruff to campus t as the 2026 Goodman Banks Visiting Artist, a residency that filled the campus with music, storytelling, and a powerful reminder that the path to one’s calling rarely unfolds in a straight line. Over several days, Dr. Ruff, assistant professor of choral music education and associate director of choral activities at Arkansas State University, worked closely with KO’s student musicians, leading vocal workshops with the Upper School Community Choir, Cantabile, and Choraliers, and mentoring individual student singers who would later share the stage with him.

His residency culminated in a joyful school assembly that felt less like a lecture and more like a carefully paced performance—part concert, part conversation about perseverance, identity, and finding one’s voice. At the heart of the assembly was Dr. Ruff’s story, one that resonated deeply with students as they navigated their own questions about the future. He described his own high-school uncertainty, recalling a time when he was trying to figure out what direction his life might take. “I was trying to figure out what I was going to do in this thing called life,” he told students. At first, music was not the obvious answer. “I honestly thought I was going to study broadcast journalism,” he joked to laughter from the audience. “I thought I’d sit behind a desk and say, ‘Good evening, this is Marques Ruff with your evening news.’” But one moment changed everything.

During his senior year of high school, a choir teacher urged him to learn an Italian art song, an assignment he initially resisted. “I said, ‘I don’t have time for all that,’” Ruff recalled. “But little did I know how transformational it would be.” That song led to a strong audition for the Northern Regional choir and ultimately a full scholarship to Central Connecticut State University, launching a career that has since taken him to 37 countries and stages around the world. Yet his message to students was never about prestige or accolades.“What I wanted to find out,” he said, “was not how to be the best in the world—but how to be the best for the world.”

The assembly unfolded as a dynamic dialogue between Dr. Ruff’s reflections and performances by KO students. His stories about love, friendship, perseverance, and purpose were woven seamlessly between musical selections sung by student soloists and ensembles. His rich, resonant voice filled the room as he introduced themes that students immediately recognized in their own lives.

Speaking about relationships and growing up in a different era, he joked, “Back in my day, we didn’t have text messages and DMs. You just had to walk up and shoot your shot.” But beneath the humor were deeper lessons. Reflecting on life’s disappointments and uncertainties, he reminded students that setbacks are inevitable.“Gray skies are going to come,” he said. “But I learned the sun will always come out.”

The performance moved fluidly from spoken reflections into song, with student vocalists delivering memorable solos – from musical theatre classics to art songs – while Ruff provided context and encouragement. The audience responded enthusiastically, erupting into applause for their classmates after each performance. The solo performances included: 

“Deep River” – H.T. Burleigh (performed by Marques J. Ruff)
“Caro Mio Ben” – Caccini (performed by Annie O’Connor ’27)
“I’d Rather Be Sailing” – from A New Brain (performed by Leo Kollen ’26)
“Love Walked In” – George and Ira Gershwin (performed by Marques J. Ruff)
“I’ll Be Here” – from The Wild Party (performed by Gordon Beck ’26)
“Tomorrow” – from Annie (performed by Natalie Malinowski ’30)
“For Good” – from Wicked (performed by Danica Arwen de Dios ’27 and Molly Palmer ’27)
“Go the Distance” – from Hercules (performed by Marco Ramirez ’27)
“My Way” – Frank Sinatra (performed by Marques J. Ruff)
“Praise His Holy Name” – Keith Hampton (performed by the KO Community Choir)

One of the most powerful moments came near the end, when Dr. Ruff delivered a stirring rendition of “My Way,” a fitting anthem for a program centered on finding one’s own path. Then the tone shifted to celebration. Inviting the audience to stand, Ruff transformed the room into a spontaneous gospel chorus, encouraging everyone to clap, respond, and feel the rhythm together. The audience joined the joined voices for a joyful gospel finale, “Say His Name,” filling the Roberts Theater with energy, spirit, and joy.