RON HELMAN

Born in Neptune, N.J. August 18, 1951.

My first paid job was picking vegetables for a dollar an hour in the fields of New Jersey farms near where my family lived. I enjoyed that hard outdoor labor and I still do today where I can lose myself (and find myself) while doing different gardening projects each year.

At Howell High School I was an average student, academically, but always enjoyed music and theater, especially playing the trumpet and performing in various school productions. I joined the Varsity Gymnastic team and played a little football and baseball.

College was a collage for me: William Penn College, the University of Tampa, West Chester University. Finally I left a few credits short of graduation.

I went back to New Jersey, took a job as a gymnastics coach at a private school. During that time something happened to me that drove me to get serious about playing the trumpet. I studied with Carmine Caruso, a brass instrument specialist, Gerard Schwartz of the New York Philharmonic, and Mark Gould of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. My life was opening up for me while I was grasping at the joy coming my way.

I took a risk and moved to New York City in 1975, to the funky east village where anything seemed possible. There I joined a dance company called Musiwwar lead by Toby Towson. Through that connection I began teaching movement arts in the elite private schools of Manhattan. While dancing at the Delacorte Theatre in Central Park, I caught the eye of Moni Yakim and he asked me to join his New York Pantomime Theatre _taking on leading roles. At the same time I was also invited to teach acrobatic dance movement at the
Juilliard School Drama Department from 1980-1987. It was one of the greatest experiences of my life, to be able to work with committed and focused actors who would apply my techniques to the careers. In order to supplement my income I found a job with Radu Teodorescu, a famed exercise trainer. That turned my world around. I became embedded in the world of celebrity. Three years later, I was able to open my own studio, Ron’s C-57, in Carnegie Hall. It became an international sensation. I started another company called
Mileshigh Artist Management. I worked with aspiring stars and top jazz artists.

For some relief from the pressures of running two companies,
I accepted an invitation to visit Santa Fe, New Mexico were I fell in love with the landscape and my future wife Pamela.

Today, I have a successful Life Coaching practice, an award winning jazz ensemble and a Coaching position with the Santa Fe Opera.

I love my life and do my best to live in gratitude.