Standout BW arts management & entrepreneurship student gets noticed

From TikTok triumph to a prestigious West Coast arts residency, Danny Ruffing '21 is combining creativity and marketing to build a career-launching resume long before graduation day.

Arts residency

In December, Ruffing spent two weeks in a highly selective arts residency at the Dorland Mountain Arts Colony in Southern California following a rigorous application process.

While there, Ruffing focused on composing music for an original musical called "Life Song." He is collaborating with four other BW students and alumni on the project.

Ruffing said his creative juices were flowing during the residency. "I completed a total of 28 songs and later discovered that I was the youngest person to be accepted to that specific residency since its opening in 1979."

TikTok musical winner

At about the same time, BroadwayWorld held a global contest for the creation of "2020: The TikTok Musical." Composers were asked to submit songs themed around a specific event in 2020.

Ruffing chose to use the COVID-19 pandemic and named his song "Coronavirus." The public then voted on the submissions, and Ruffing's song came out on top! Listen to his winning song on BroadwayWorld or Spotify.

BW arts management training ignites success

"I can honestly credit all the successes I've had in my music career to the experiences I've had through the arts management & entrepreneurship program and the training I've received from BW professors," he said.

Ruffing added, "I've been able to actively use the information I've learned to market myself and my music successfully ... I was fortunate enough to have two concerts at Feinstein's/54 Below in NYC because of that."

Ruffing also credits the music industry courses he has taken with helping him protect his music and learn how to maneuver the entire arts industry.