Lissa deGuzman
Lissa deGuzman

I’ve been a student of Mike’s since 2019, but when I booked Elphaba on the WICKED tour, he was a life saver! We met routinely through rehearsal and my entire run. He was there for me through allergies, illness, and the bad vocal habits that sneak in over time. My voice grew stronger throughout my contract and people in the company constantly commented on my consistency. I can confidently say that this is because of Mike. Every lesson we worked on what I felt needed attention and he provided new perspective and tools to make singing Elphaba efficient, sustainable, and thrilling. And as someone who is very hard on herself, I always left my lessons feeling empowered and confident. Mike continues to go above and beyond to protect my instrument, and I can’t thank him enough.

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StudentsMike RucklesB'way: KING KONG (Ens/Ann Darrow u/s), ALADDIN (Jasmine), Tour: WICKED (Elphaba)
Bradley Gibson
Bradley Gibson

Mike Ruckles is more than a voice teacher; he’s a magician! His teaching gives me not only the stamina to maintain my voice for 8 shows a week, but also the tools to allow my voice to grow and evolve. He teaches you how to sing anything and how to do it with ease. Mike provides these tools inside of a nurturing environment that allows his students to soar. I always leave my lessons feeling more confident and stronger than I entered.

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StudentsTony Howell & Co.B’way: THE LION KING (Simba); A BRONX TALE (Tyrone); ROCKY Off B’way: LOVE’S LABOUR’S LOST (Public), TV: Power Book II: Ghost (Everett), PARTNER TRACK (Tyler), Paper Mill: HERCULES (Hercules)
Aisha Jackson
Aisha Jackson

I didn’t grow up with much vocal training, but Mike has made technique comprehensible and accessible. I met him in my freshman year of college, and since then, he’s helped me prepare for productions, workshops, auditions, and my Broadway debut. Over the years, I’ve seen so much growth in my vocal health and technique studying with him. Knowledgeable, helpful, and kind… I’d recommend Mike to any and all looking to better themselves vocally!

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StudentsTony Howell & Co.B’way: WAITRESS (O.B.C), BEAUTIFUL, FROZEN (Anna standby) Off-B’way: RAGTIME on Ellis Island (Sarah)
Mariand Torres
Mariand Torres

Working with Mike has helped me truly understand my voice. Simply put, singing has gotten easier. I leave each lesson with the tools I need to tackle challenging material with confidence and ease. He is extremely knowledgeable, intuitive, and attentive, and working with him has been a real game changer for me.

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StudentsTony Howell & Co.B’way: IN TRANSIT (Nina); WICKED (Elphaba standby); PRINCE OF BROADWAY (Japan) Off-B’way: NATASHA, PIERRE, & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812, HADESTOWN (Fate), LEMPICKA (Lempicka standby)
Bud Weber
Bud Weber

I cannot say enough about Mike Ruckles. Mike’s infinite knowledge and understanding of the voice and body make for a truly personalized lesson, unlike teachers who just push one technique. I leave every lesson with a ‘smarter’, stronger voice. I recommend Mike to all my friends and colleagues and will continue to do so!

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StudentsTony Howell & Co.B’way: BOOK OF MORMON (Elder Price standby); SOMETHING ROTTEN!; ALADDIN (Aladdin u/s/); WICKED (Fiyero u/s), DEATH BECOMES HER (Ensemble/Opera Singer), Tour: THE PROM 1st National (Trent Oliver)
Danielle Wade
Danielle Wade

I moved to NYC only knowing a few people and Mike was recommended to me immediately. I cannot speak highly enough of the warmth and commitment he showed me. Not only does he have the knowledge, clarity, and experience to back up his work, he has all of the passion as well. Mike is so wonderful at explaining a concept or its mechanics that you understand it immediately and can continue to grow from it on your own. He wants you to be your best self. He wants you to find your own healthy, vibrant, joyous voice. I cannot thank him enough for giving me the confidence to trust my technique and sing freely. Mike is also pretty cool, just in case you were wondering.

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StudentsTony Howell & Co.B'way: MEAN GIRLS (Cady), TOUR: MEAN GIRLS (Cady), SHUCKED (Maizy), TV: Winner of Lloyd Webber's OVER THE RAINBOW competition
Kyle Scatliffe
Kyle Scatliffe

I had just undergone a massive transitional period, not only in life, but in my career and voice. I was searching for the right voice teacher. One that understood the background of opera that I had come from, but also one that adapted to who I am as a singer. Enter Mike Ruckles. He has been not only a great teacher, but a great friend. I feel like the relationship between student and teacher should be a close one because you have to trust them with your instrument (and you only get one). He will help you find the sustainable, safe, and exciting way to sing without pushing or hurting yourself. I have all the confidence in the world in him!

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StudentsTony Howell & Co.B’way: HAMILTON (Lafayette/Jefferson); THE COLOR PURPLE revival (Harpo); LES MISERABLES revival (Enjolras) Encores!: BIG RIVER (Jim) West End: SCOTTSBORO BOYS (Haywood) Olivier nominee, TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD (Tom)
Joey Sorge
Joey Sorge

Mike is a godsend to me and the Broadway community! After a few lessons, I was going into auditions with a new-found power and understanding of my singing. He teaches with an eye and ‘ear’ to my unique voice using only the specific tools necessary to help me. Whether it’s a new audition song or finding new ways to approach an old one, Mike continues to help me discover my individual vocal potential and, more importantly, he shows me how to use it with consistency. I hesitate to praise him too much, because now I’ll have to fight other students for a time slot!

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StudentsTony Howell & Co.B’way: A BRONX TALE (Rudy the Voice), NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT (Vic/Jimmy u/s), HOW TO SUCCEED (Mr. Tackaberry), THE DROWSY CHAPERONE, FOLLIES (Young Buddy) Tour: THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE (Jimmy)
Tally Sessions
Tally Sessions

Mike is a true rarity - he combines incredible (and I mean INCREDIBLE) technical expertise with a real gift for communication and artistic expression. Simply put, he knows his stuff and is TERRIFIC at teaching it. He loves and supports his students, and is always there for them. He saved my voice. What more could you ask? Work with him!!! You won’t regret it.

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StudentsTony Howell & Co.B’way: COMPANY, ANASTASIA, WAR PAINT, FALSETTOS, SCHOOL OF ROCK, BIG FISH Paper Mill: BEAUTY & THE BEAST (Beast), COMPANY (2021 Revival)
Christine Estes
Christine Estes

Mike offers an exceptional level of technical skill and artistry to his singers. His approach is grounded in a thorough understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the voice, but his ability to tailor his teaching to the individual needs of each singer comes from having a great ear and vast experience. I admire his work so much that I even trust him with my own voice. As a speech-language pathologist, I consider Mike to be an important member of the rehabilitative team, and it’s a joy to collaborate with him to help singers return to the stage.

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Industry VoicesTony Howell & Co.Senior Speech-Language Pathologist at the Sean Parker Institute for the Voice - Weill Cornell Medical College, www.shapevoice.com
Jay Binder
Jay Binder

I have had the honor of working with Mike on several Broadway musicals, and I’ve had the pleasure of auditioning numerous students of his over the years. His grasp of the technique that is needed to create first-rate singers is superb. Anyone studying with him is getting the best possible vocal training. His students interpret material with intelligence, as well as vocal prowess and excellent storytelling.

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Industry VoicesTony Howell & Co.Broadway Casting Director (CSA), B’way: THE LION KING, A CHORUS LINE, GYPSY, CHICAGO, BEAUTY & THE BEAST, NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT, CITY CENTER ENCORES! and many more
Steve Edlund
Steve Edlund

Mike Ruckles re-defines what a voice teacher can be. His knowledge of the voice is immense. He gives you the tools to strengthen your instrument to do things it never could before... and for 8 shows a week. The things students have messaged me after their first lesson with Mike... well, it's a bit like watching HAMILTON for the first time and thinking 'Yep. It really is that good.' He'll make you laugh, he'll make you sing, he'll make you better.

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Industry VoicesTony Howell & Co.Asst. Director to four-time Tony winner Jerry Zaks – SISTER ACT, A BRONX TALE, HELLO DOLLY! (Bette Midler), THE MUSIC MAN