Musician and mentor is remembered by the lives he touched

Thirty-eight-year-old Andres Ruiz was more than just a musician, colleague, and friend. He was an inspiration for others and his recent death left many in shock.

A classroom that was once filled with music and sound is now quiet and empty. Ruiz, the music teacher for the House of Cultural Arts, taught a room full of students three days a week.

Nine-year-old German Serrano recalled how Ruiz always told him to keep practicing no matter how challenging learning an instrument was.

Seranno said, “All of us wanted to really learn an instrument, that’s the reason we came here. And so he taught us how to do it. And we never gave up from that day.”

Ruiz’s death is a reminder to some about how precious life could be.

Aurora Serrano, German’s mother, said, “We had just seen him that weekend and he had just posted on media that morning. He seemed to be fine. Then just to hear that night that he was not here no more, it’s just scary. You just know that nothing’s not granted. Life’s not granted.”

Ruiz’s wife, Miriana Pacheco, recalled that he was feeling ill the day she last saw him.

Pacheco said, “One of his coworkers told me that he wasn’t feeling well. I went to his work and when I arrived, I noticed that they were working on him on a gurney. They transported him to the hospital in an ambulance I followed them and once I arrived I never left his side until the doctors told me that he had passed away.”

She’s still waiting to hear what led to his death.

Meanwhile, one of his colleagues remembered how helpful he was and that he was willing to collaborate.

Hilda Parra, a dance teacher at the House of Cultural Arts, said, “He told me that he could play music for me. For the students. And that way we can have a little performance.”

Kimberly Alfaro-Massey, Director of the House of Cultural Arts, said the center won’t be the same without him.

“You really feel his presence missing in the building. You really feel his presence missing in the projects we create. So I feel a lot of sadness and motivation to continue this so that you know in his honor that what he did here was not in vain,” Alfaro-Massey said.

The House of Cultural Arts will hold a benefit concert this Friday to honor his memory and proceeds will help pay for funeral expenses. If anyone wants to help donate to their GoFundMe page click here.