Dr. Michael Ruhling

Conductor, RIT Philharmonia
Featured Guest Conductor, Brighton Symphony Orchestra

Dr. Michael E. Ruhling is Assistant Professor of Music at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) where he teaches courses in music history and appreciation. Dr. Ruhling is the Conductor of the RIT Philharmonia, a renowned orchestra in the greater Rochester, NY area. He also conducts the Brick City Brass Choir and coaches various chamber ensembles. He has been a featured guest conductor of the Brighton Symphony Orchestra for several years and conducts the orchestra's annual joint concert with the RIT Philharmonia.

Dr. Ruhling received his Bachelor of Arts in Music from Goshen College in Indiana. He received a Master of Arts in Music History from the University of Notre Dame, and a Master of Music in Orchestral Conducting from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Dr. Ruhling received his Doctor of Philosophy in Musicology from The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC.

Prior to accepting his current position at RIT, Dr. Ruhling has been an Assistant Professor of Music at Goshen College, and an Adjunct Professor of Music at Huntington College in Indiana. He has also been an instructor at the University of Notre Dame, at the University of Missouri--Columbia, and at The Catholic University of America.

Dr. Ruhling was the Founder, Musical Director, and Executive Director of the Maple City Chamber Orchestra in Goshen, Indiana. He has been a Guest Conductor of the Elkhart County (IN) Youth Honors Orchestra, and a Conductor of the Goshen College Orchestra. He has also conducted the Goshen College Festival Brass Ensemble. He has been a Guest Conductor of the Prince George's (MD) Philhamonic Orchestra, and an Assistant Conductor of the Chorale of the Friday Morning Music Club in Washington, DC. Dr. Ruhling has also conducted the University of Missouri Philharmonic Orchestra and the University of Notre Dame Bands. He directed the Christmas and Easter Choirs of Fork's Mennonite Church in Middlebury, IN, and he was the Director of Music at St. John's Catholic Church in Goshen.

Dr. Ruhling is an accomplished trumpet player. He lives in Rochester with his wife and three young sons.