Monday Motivation Series Episode 25 - Lynne Ruda

Lynne Ruda is a lifelong Lancaster, NY resident and is proud to be running for Mayor of the Village if Lancaster!  She currently serves her community as a Village of Lancaster Trustee. 

Lynne shows her love of her community and her willingness to protect it as a Volunteer Firefighter for the Village of Lancaster. She is proud to be the first female driver and interior firefighter in the Eagle Hose Company.  She serves as the Department Secretary and is regularly a top responder.  Lynne received the 2016 Chief’s Award and the 2015 Administrative Member of the Year Award from the Lancaster Fire Department.

Lynne is a music teacher at Lancaster High School. She has served as the Director of Orchestras at Lancaster High School since 2008. Additionally, Mrs. Ruda is the conductor of the Greater Buffalo Youth String Orchestra. At Lancaster High School, Lynne serves as the advisor of the First Responders Club, which is devoted to bringing First Responder experiences to high school students. As an active cellist in the area and a member of the Buffalo Musicians Association – Local 92, Mrs. Ruda has performed throughout Western New York, including with the Western New York Chamber Orchestra and the Clarence Summer Orchestra.  She has also performed with The Who and Weird Al Yankovic in concert.

Lynne is currently a finalist for the GRAMMY Music Educator of the Year 2021 and was a finalist for the GRAMMY Music Educator of the Year 2020.  Mrs. Ruda was named a 2020 NYS Woman of Distinction and received the 2020 Agent of Change Award from the Lancaster Area Chamber of Commerce.  She was the 2019 recipient of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra/Erie County Music Educators Association Award for Excellence in Music Education.  In 2018, she was named Citizen of the Year by the Lancaster Area Chamber of Commerce.