Ruth McGinnis is an author, recording artist, wellness professional and speaker; a 21st-century Renaissance woman, who uses creativity to celebrate life and encourage others to do the same!

The eldest of five sisters, all musicians, Ruth grew up in Decatur, Illinois, where she began her musical studies at the age of eight. She trained for the next 16 years to be a classical violinist, which culminated in her acceptance to the world-renowned Juilliard School of Music in New York City. After completing her degrees in violin performance, she became intrigued with freer styles of fiddle music, including country, bluegrass and folk, and performed for several years in New York City. In 1986, Ruth moved to Nashville, Tennessee, to pursue this new direction in her creative career.

Shortly after arriving in Nashville, Ruth began performing and recording with folk/bluegrass icon John Hartford and went on to perform and record with numerous Nashville artists, including Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, Vince Gill and Chet Atkins.

While finding her niche in the Nashville music scene, Ruth also pursued her long-held interests in health and fitness and became certified as a wellness professional. This experience led to the publication of Ruth's first book, Living the Good Life, and the beginning of her career as an inspirational speaker.

Ruth's philosophy as a wellness professional is the antithesis of the pop culture quick fix ideology. She advocates mastering a handful of simple choices, such as getting enough sleep to feel rested, drinking enough water to be hydrated, eating "low on the food chain," and being physically active as a way of life.

Following the success of Ruth’s first book came her critically praised memoir, Breathing Freely: Celebrating the Imperfect Life.

In her speaking, as in her writing, Ruth acknowledges that it is perfectly natural to want to live the very best life possible! Recognizing that the ideal life is simply an unattainable goal, she cheerfully rejects the perfectionism so highly regarded by media and pop culture. She inspires people to celebrate the beauty of the imperfect life by "blending the life of your dreams with the reality of the life are living."

Today, Ruth speaks and performs for audiences from church to corporate settings, on grand concert stages as well as in the intimate setting of bookstore cafes. Accompanied by her Acoustic Trio, Ruth's refreshingly eclectic repertoire and elegant sound have been enjoyed by audiences throughout the country and around the world.

More about Ruth's musical career
More about Ruth's speaking career