RUTH NIEH
Piano, Guitar, Music Theory
Ruth Nieh is a classically trained pianist who began publicly performing at the age of seven. As a young musician, she won top prizes and scholarships from festivals and competitions throughout North America. Ruth participated in the JOY! (Jorgenson Outreach for Youth) Conservatory Program and the RCM (Royal Conservatory of Music) Certificate Program, receiving First Class Honours in her examinations.
Ruth continued her piano studies with Professor Irma Vallecillo at the University of Connecticut, where she discovered her love for playing in chamber groups and large ensembles. As the pianist for the UConn Wind Ensemble and UConn Symphony Orchestra, Ruth made her debut at the Stern Auditorium of Carnegie Hall and The Palace Theater. In addition, she had the privilege of being the featured soloist in the UConn Wind Ensemble’s performance of Olivier Messiaen’s Oiseaux Exotiques. Ruth graduated summa cum laude from the University of Connecticut with a B.S. in Mathematics-Actuarial Science and a B.A. in Music with a concentration in Piano.
While she chose to pursue an actuarial career after college, Ruth has remained active in the music community as a collaborative pianist for churches, choirs, and music schools. She has also expanded her skills by learning other instruments, including the flute, ukulele, and guitar, and continues to premiere works by local composers.
With over a decade of experience as a private piano teacher, Ruth is deeply committed to cultivating a nurturing and inclusive environment for young learners. She has volunteered as a summer camp leader in Taiwan and serves as a Sunday School teacher at her church, primarily working with children aged 3 to 10.
Ruth is excited to join the Anselmo Academy faculty and is incredibly grateful to her former educators, including Lynn Hardy, Elena Semenets, Melinda Fields, Professor Irma Vallecillo, Dr. Jeffrey Renshaw, and Dr. Peter Kaminsky, for their roles in refining her as a musician and fostering her passion for music.