Ruby Tilghman

Ruby Tilghman - Florida
Interview by Claire Plath
Nomination by Nancy Tilghman
Photography by Matt Boyd Photography
Issue 34 of Inspiring Teens Magazine
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​The nomination: Ruby Tilghman, is a girl boss, founding her own nonprofit, Many Mini Musicians at 12 years old. She has a passion for Fine Arts and uses youth concerts to raise money for Fine Arts funding in Public Schools. Ruby has recently written a children’s book entitled “Ruby’s Recital.” This book serves to tell a portion of Ruby’s story of continuing to search until you find your passion, to highlight the impact that a teacher can have on a student’s life and most importantly to open the line of communication about the importance of fine arts programs in schools. Ruby has had the opportunity to advocate for increased Fine Arts funding at the state capitol, host fundraising concerts that feature young performers, and meet educators who are working hard to make sure that every student has access to Arts education!

Photography by Nancy Tilghman

​Tell me about the nonprofit organization you started, and what it’s about?
Many Mini Musicians is the nonprofit organization that I started at twelve years old as a result of a civics project! I was asked to identify a need in my community and address it, so the need that I identified is the need for music in the life of students. I began hosting caroling nights and karaoke parties for kids in my community to spark their interest in the Arts, but once the project was over, I knew that I wanted to do more. I started to shift my focus to fundraising for public school music programs because that is where I initially found my passion for music and I knew that this was the best way to impact children in my community. Many Mini Musicians’ mission is now to fund Fine Arts in public schools and create opportunities for students to experience the Arts. In the last 3 years, we have raised over twelve thousand dollars for Fine Arts Programs in public school through fundraising concerts that feature young performers.

What inspired your passion for Fine Arts and in what ways have you raised money for funding in public schools?
Music is now a very important part of my life, but it took me a while to discover my passion for music. My elementary school music teacher, Mrs. Delmar, was one of the first people to encourage me to pursue my interest in music, and she is the reason I found my passion so early in life. Because of her impact in my life, it was clear to me just how important music programs are in our schools. Through Many Mini Musicians, I wanted to be able to support music programs that inspire students like me every day, so I started hosting fundraising concerts that benefit public school music programs. Our biggest concerts of the year are the Hello Summer Concerts which features young performers! At the end of our fundraising season each year, Many Mini Musicians awards grants to music programs in need.

Photography by Nancy Tilghman

​How have you had opportunities to start other organizations like the Youth Community Arts Alliance in different communities to expand fine arts?
Many Mini Musicians’ regional impacts on fine arts programs have been incredible but I started the Youth Community Arts Alliance because I wanted to empower other student artists to create their own Community Arts Project or Initiative. The Youth Community Arts Alliance provides resources and opportunities for student artists to impact their communities through the Arts in the form or service projects. My hope is that this will help them overcome obstacles they may face in building their project and provide a network of like-minded students to connect with. By involving students from all over the nation, we can continue to share the message of the importance of Fine Arts in our communities.

What do you love most about organizing and marketing youth events and concerts?
The thing I love most about organizing these events is the people I am able to meet and network with! By contacting young musicians about performing in our shows or asking local leaders to be a part of our event, I’m able to make some really incredible connections and friends. Some of the musicians that perform in Hello Summer and our other concerts are people that I perform with on a regular basis now, and I know that those connections wouldn’t have been possible if it weren’t for Many Mini Musicians and these concerts!

Photography by Nancy Tilghman

​In what ways could you inspire others to find their passion in life, and how are you able to impact others through your story and all that you’re involved in?
I hope that by sharing a little of my story in my book, “Ruby’s Recital” people will see that my path hasn’t been straight. I tried every activity, extra-curricular and instrument before I found what I was passionate about and that ultimately lead to me founding my non-profit, Many Mini Musicians. I want to inspire others to keep searching until they find their passion. Find the thing that makes you want to put in the extra work, the thing that you want to share with the world. Everyone is gifted with a talent and a passion it may just take some perseverance for you to find it!

What is your book “Ruby’s Recital” about, and how it has highlighted your journey and passions in life?
Ruby’s Recital is about a young girl named Ruby who wants to perform in her school’s talent show but doesn’t know which instrument to play. Ruby tries every instrument until he finds the one that is “Just right!” This is a story about perseverance and finding your passion. As a kid, I tried everything. I played soccer and softball, I did gymnastics and dance, but I didn’t find what I loved until I started playing piano. Through this book, I wanted to share the message of the importance of finding what you love, even if you have to try everything!

What advice would you give to someone who wants to be where you are today?
I would tell them not to be afraid to take a chance. It’s true that you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take! You don’t know how far you can go or what you can accomplish unless you take a chance on yourself!

Photography by Nancy Tilghman

Where do you see yourself in 5 years/what are your plans for the future?
In 5 years I will be finishing up my undergraduate degree and preparing for a career in the medical field. My hope is that I can continue to grow Many Mini Musicians and that we can have an impact on Fine Arts funding in public schools at the national level.

What is your favorite activity or pastime that wasn’t in your nomination?
I love to play piano! It has been a part of my life since I was in the 3rd grade. My piano is my place of escape and rest!

Do you have a hidden talent? What is it?
I’m actually fluent in American Sign Language. I was blessed with the opportunity to take American Sign Language as my foreign language credit at my high school and I’ve continued to use it.

3 Things on your bucket list
I want to secure a national partnership for Many Mini Musicians.
I want to be able to provide a copy of my book to every Elementary School music teacher in the state of Florida.
I would love to one day compete for the title of Miss America.

Anything else you’d like to tell us?
 I’ve recently become a Brand Ambassador for Advanced Recovery Systems. I am very excited about partnering with them for Real Talk, which is a comprehensive, educational program designed for high school and college students that discusses the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse. This is an important message because there is value in having a hobby like music or a passion that gives you a reason to continue to be the best version of yourself and make healthy choices for your body.

Ruby will be featured in issue 34 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

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click here for more information on issue 34

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click here for more information on Many Mini Musicians