Meet Ron Ramsay

“A Sublime Songbook…” NY Post

Through teaching, artistry, and direction, Ron shapes and elevates the world of music.

Artist

Ron Ramsay is a singer, classical jazz pianist, musical director and coach of the American Standards, Broadway, and Sacred Song repertoire. A Berkshire native, while attending the Manhattan School of Music for classical voice, Ron began to shift his focus solely to the Broadway/Pop repertoire.

At age 7, Ron played his neighbor's piano for hours, learning chords to favorite songs and finding his first teacher. For 2 years, he played by ear without grasping basic note reading. His powerful voice was discovered, leading to roles such as Matt in The Fantasticks, Tony in West Side Story, Linus in You're A Good Man Charlie Brown, and Paul in A Chorus Line. He performed in BrightStar and served as Music Supervisor in 2022. In 2023, he presented “A Song of Hope,” among other productions by Past Present Productions. His experience includes pre-Broadway workshops for Dance with Me and Moses! with The London Symphony Orchestra. Currently, Ron is touring five nightclub acts in the Berkshires and New York City, including “Ron Ramsay’s Berkshire Salon.” His cabaret acts often sell out venues like the Algonquin, Feinstein's, Town Hall, and Lincoln Center's Rose Room, as well as international locales. The New York Post praises his work as “always a sublime Songbook,” reflecting his creative essence.

Teacher

Every experience shapes us, teaching valuable lessons about resilience, empathy, and the importance of connection. A sincere approach to life fosters deeper relationships and a greater understanding of ourselves and others. Embracing honesty in our interactions encourages trust and authenticity, paving the way for personal growth and stronger bonds. In our journey, it’s essential to recognize the significance of being true to ourselves and acknowledging the impact we have on those around us.

Ron Ramsay is the teacher for everyone. Whether you're a beginner looking to enjoy singing in the car or preparing for a Broadway debut, Ron tailors each experience to your needs. Every student embarks on an exhilarating journey through music, building confidence along the way.

As your teacher, Ron serves as a reliable source of inspiration and guidance, helping you discover your unique voice. The approach is not confined to a single method; rather, it encourages exploration and creativity. Together, you'll create amazing moments and memories that will last a lifetime. Choose Ron Ramsay and make your musical journey extraordinary. curiosity and critical awareness.

Together as partners we will be able to build your own specific tool chess of techniques and exercise to have always to chisel away and hone your craft.

Ron began his professional music journey at the tender age of ten, when he started teaching piano lessons to his grandmother friends for a modest fee of $3 an hour. This early initiative not only honed his skills as a pianist but also instilled a sense of responsibility and leadership.

Around the same age, Ron made another significant move when he noticed that his church lacked an organist for a mass. He took it upon himself to gather friends and family, forming the “Summer Children’s Choir.” This experience demonstrated his ability to inspire and unite people through music, laying the groundwork for his future endeavors.

Ron’s formal music education includes studies in voice, piano, and organ at esteemed institutions such as Tanglewood in Lenox, MA, Dallas Arts Magnet High School, Southern Methodist University, and the Manhattan School of Music. Throughout his career, he has shared his expertise in song interpretation, teaching in various cities including New York City and London, as well as currently in the Berkshires.

Under Ron’s guidance, numerous students have pursued successful careers in diverse fields such as Broadway, opera, sacred music, and pop. His dedication to fostering talent and his passion for teaching continue to leave a lasting impact on aspiring musicians.

​The mentors and influential teachers in Ron's career have included Emmy, Tony, and Oscar winners Marge Champion, Dick Gallagher, Betty Buckley, Sondra Lee, Ellen Burstyn, Maureen Stapleton, and Billy Goldenberg. All were and are lifelong personal friends spanning more than 40 years of Ron’s tireless and inspiring career.​Students are always encourage to find and take their own unique and individual journey. Ron tailoring his teaching styles to nuture each student's specific learning strengths & unique style. Students range from youth to adolescent to adult and skill sets range from beginner level to professional.

​Lesson packages and combinations can range from working on the technique, theory, interpretation or performance coaching. Ron's depth of experience as a teacher allows your voice, piano and/or acting study to grow, flourish & shine.

Music Director

“ I search for the honest expression in every note, word & phrase. Discovering the musical narrative, the underlying message & passion that is always new and fresh. The passion of the phrase and always to execute with abandon” Ron Ramsay 2024

A Berkshire native, Ron's musical career began at the age of 7 at his childhood church. By the age of 10, he was an organist for church services and had created the “Summer Children’s Choir”. Stage and concert performances followed as both a singer, choral director, pianist and organist. 

Ron was known at a very early age as an inspiration to 1000's of others to find their voice and passion through the joy of song. Church would prove to be a great "college" for Ron finding his musical path and honing his skills as an inspirational style of Music Directing. "Everyone can sing and I can get you to do that". During his teen years, he filled many directorship positions in the Berkshires. Most notably: Trinity United Methodist Church (age 13), Berkshire Public Theater with John Sauer (age 14) and The Berkshire Lyric Theater with Bob Blafield (age 14). Sunnybrook Baptist Church Dallas, Texas (age 15) Berkshire Opera Company at Cranwell, Lee Congreational Church , Church-On-The-Hill & The Whit Cabaret and Opera Series & St Ann Church (2013 to present) all in and around Berkshire County.

​A stint at Tanglewood lead him to Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing Arts, in Dallas, TX, during which time was the Assistant Music Director and Organist at the Sunny Brook Baptist Church as well as singing regularly with Dallas Baptist Church. I

In 1986 he became the Music Director at The DeSisto School in Stockbridge & Florida where he directed seven full productions held at the Berkshire Public Theater now known as Barrington Stage Company. His final production in 1988 was “Hair”. The production toured the former USSR for 7 weeks. in 1986 he also created the Berkshires Only "Dinner Theater at The Mansion" which ran for 16 seasons and in 1988 the highly acclaimed "Stockbridge Cabaret Series" hosting many NYC and international acts which ran for more than 12 seasons.  

Mostly recently Ron was the Music Supervisor for “Days & Dreams” at Mater Christi School in Burlington , Vermont for a 2nd season. In 2022/23 Dreambridge Productions of "BrightStar" & workshop of  "Carrying the Songs" . Most recently concert & appearances including WInterSolstice '21 & '22, St. Ann Chancel Choir sings the songs of Ola Gjiello,  and his favorite gig on going Music Director with his great friends Samantha Talora , Eileen Markland on Violin & Charlie Tokarz on Woodwinds.

Ron returns to Don’t Tell Mama in NYC in Dec 2024. Also, in 2025 Ron will launch the Berkshire Salon series at the Lenox Library in Lenox , Ma.