J.J. Ruiz, a light-lyric tenor, snares a full-ride scholarship to TCU
The uplifting experience Jose “J.J.” Ruiz had while attending a high school choir camp at Amarillo College convinced the promising tenor to continue his music education at AC – even if it meant a daily commute from his home in Dumas.
Two years later, the payoff far outweighs what was no small commitment of time and resources just for travel alone; for Ruiz has just accepted a full scholarship to attend and study music at Texas Christian University.
“When I got the text that I would be getting a full ride, I just began to cry…pretty soon my whole family was in tears,” said Ruiz, who plans to attend TCU’s new-student orientation event called Frog Camp in June.
“I’m so appreciative and so humbled, and I feel like all my dedication, my commuting every day, my hard work, and all my singing has really paid off.”
Dr. Melody Rich, assistant professor of voice, not only mentored Ruiz throughout his time at AC, but, as she does on behalf of all her voice students, she tapped into her extensive network of university educators to help him find his next musical destination. That’s how TCU’s Dr. James Rodriguez came to invite Ruiz to visit the Fort Worth campus and take a test lesson.
“J.J. is a budding light-lyric tenor with a lot of talent who can sing extraordinarily high,” Rich said. “He competed at the National Association of Teachers of Singing, where he was a semifinalist among 700 singers in a three-state region, and he’s performed several times in the Amarillo Opera chorus.
“But he’s also an immigrant – a dreamer – and I wanted to find him the right spot, not only musically but culturally. James Rodriguez at TCU seemed to me like the perfect mentor to continue molding and shaping J.J.”
Unfortunately, TCU’s initial scholarship offer was only partial, Rich said, so she called Rodriguez to see if they might possibly sweeten the pot just a bit more.
“What I didn’t expect was that he’d come back and offer a full package,” Rich said. “This is kind of like a Cinderella story because J.J. came to AC with no idea what might happen, where his life might lead, and he’s experienced so much. The trajectory of his life is thrilling to all of us – his friends, his family, his AC family.”
For his part, Ruiz said his original intention was to major in vocal performance at TCU, but now he plans to add an emphasis on music education to the mix.
“I fell in love with the culture at Amarillo College because all the teachers here were so respectful and nurturing,” Ruiz said. “Every teacher across the entire music department is willing to help you achieve your goals no matter what, but especially Dr. Rich, who for me has been more than a voice teacher. She’s also been a therapist and a friend.
“I’ve come to understand that if teachers can make such a great difference for someone like me, an immigrant who really does have limited opportunities, then I might be able to make a difference someday for somebody, too.”