Biography
Stephanie Ruggles teaches choir and general music at Ritenour Middle School in St. Louis. During her 18 years at RMS, she has expanded the choral program from 8th grade choir to serving all grade levels. Her students participate regularly in the SLSMEA and Des Lee Honor Choirs and the Middle Grades Choral Festival. During the summer, she is the Program Director for Opera Theatre of Saint Louis’s Opera Camp For Kids!, where she previously taught.
Within the RSD music department, Stephanie has led, coordinated, and facilitated curriculum revisions and numerous professional development opportunities. She served as her building’s Professional Development Chair for seven years. Currently, she is an active member of the Ritenour Equity Leadership and Learning Cohort. In 2017, she was named Ritenour Middle School’s Diamond Circle Teacher of the Year.
Stephanie obtained her Bachelor of Music Education, with a K-12 Choral/Vocal Certificate, from the University of Missouri–Saint Louis and a Master of Music in Vocal Performance from Washington University. She is a member of NAfME, ACDA, MMEA, MCDA, NEA, and Educators for Social Justice. From 2016-2020, she served as SLSMEA Co-Vice President for Middle School Choir.
She lives in Overland with her husband Nathan, a voice teacher and classical singer. A freelance contralto, she performs as a soloist and chorister, most frequently with the American Kantorei, the Collegium Vocale of St. Louis, and the St. Louis Chamber Chorus. She is also the Assistant Director and Alto Section Leader of the chancel choir at First Congregational Church in St. Louis.
Stephanie believes that every student should have access to a quality music education and that each individual student voice is important. If elected to serve MMEA as Choral Vice-President, she will bring a mindset for equity, innovation, and lifelong learning practices for all teachers and students.