Exploring Life & Business with Brent Ramirez of Born to Perform Studio

Today we’d like to introduce you to Brent Ramirez.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I actually started theatre later than most — in high school. I grew up doing football, wrestling, track, and choir. I loved being active and involved, but nothing impacted me the way theatre did.

The first time I stepped on stage, something shifted. Theatre built confidence in me in a way nothing else had. It gave me voice, presence, and a sense of identity. But even though I fell in love with performing, my high school experience was very show-prep focused. We learned how to put on a production — not necessarily the deeper craft, technique, or life skills that the art form can truly develop.

It wasn’t until college that I really began to fall in love with the art of performing — the discipline, the psychology, the storytelling, and the far-reaching effects theatre can have on someone’s life. Before that, I had spent nearly a decade working my way up into bank management while auditioning and performing locally. Eventually, I realized my heart wasn’t in banking. I went back to school to pursue Theatre Arts while still working full time.

During my senior year, an agent saw me perform in Jekyll & Hyde and signed me on the spot. I began submitting for Broadway and national tours, and even flew out for a final callback for Phantom of the Opera on Broadway. Right before leaving for New York, I received a life-changing phone call — I was going to be a dad. I chose to stay. Nearly six years later, I was offered a role in an international tour of Phantom, and again chose family.

Those moments clarified something for me: performing was powerful — but building something meaningful at home mattered more.

I began teaching voice lessons to support my growing family. My students started booking roles, growing in confidence, and finding real success. I found myself going to show after show thinking, “What if we created something of our own?” So I gathered my students and produced our first small production. That small step turned into performance groups, which turned into classes, which eventually became Born to Perform Studio.

At its core, Born to Perform is what I wish had existed for me when I first fell in love with theatre. It’s not just about putting on shows. It’s about training — real technique, clear progression, discipline, artistry, and character development. It’s about helping young performers grow not only on stage, but as confident, resilient human beings.

I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve built — not just productions, but a culture. A place where students feel seen, challenged, and supported. A place where they can fall in love with the craft — and grow far beyond it.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road — but I think that’s true of anything meaningful.

In the early years, the biggest challenge was simply building something from nothing. When you’re starting with a handful of students, every enrollment matters. Every production feels like a risk. There were seasons where I was teaching, directing, producing, handling admin, marketing, and finances all at once. It required long hours and a lot of learning on the fly.

Another major challenge has been growth itself. As the studio expanded, I had to transition from being “the teacher who does everything” to building systems, developing curriculum, training staff, and trusting others to help carry the vision. Letting go of control in order to grow was a huge leadership lesson for me.

Opening and running our own Studio Theatre was also both a dream and a risk. Securing space, managing overhead, and committing to full seasons of productions requires courage and careful planning. There are real financial pressures that come with creating consistent opportunities for young performers.

And of course, like many arts organizations, we’ve navigated the broader challenges that impact live performance — uncertainty, scheduling demands, balancing family life with production seasons, and maintaining high standards while keeping our culture positive and healthy.

But every challenge has strengthened us. It forced us to clarify our mission, refine our curriculum, and build stronger systems. The obstacles didn’t just test us — they shaped us.

I’ve learned that sustainable growth isn’t about moving fast; it’s about building strong foundations. And that’s what we continue to focus on every day at Born to Perform.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Born to Perform Studio?
Born to Perform Studio is a comprehensive performing arts academy dedicated to developing confident, disciplined, and well-rounded young performers. We specialize in musical theatre training, voice, dance, acting, competition teams, and full-scale youth productions — all built around a structured curriculum designed for real growth.

What sets us apart is that we don’t just “put on shows.” We focus heavily on training and progression. Our programs are intentionally designed with clear benchmarks, skill development pathways, and a culture rooted in excellence, integrity, and unity. Students aren’t just cast in productions — they are taught how to grow as artists and as people.

We are known for high-quality productions, strong technique-based training, and a positive, supportive culture. Families often tell us that what stands out most is the balance we strike: high standards without a toxic environment. We challenge students to work hard, but we also prioritize character, teamwork, and resilience.

Brand-wise, I’m most proud of the culture we’ve built. Our staff is passionate and aligned in the mission of creating a safe, energetic, and growth-driven environment. Students feel seen here. Parents see measurable improvement. And our productions reflect the discipline happening in the classroom.

We recently completed our first full season in our own Studio Theatre, which has allowed us to deepen our offerings and create a true artistic home for our students. It’s been a milestone that reflects how far we’ve come.

At its heart, Born to Perform is about more than performance. It’s about helping young people discover their voice, develop confidence, and carry those skills far beyond the stage.

Any big plans?
Our focus moving forward is depth and refinement.

We’re continuing to strengthen our curriculum so that students experience clear, measurable progression in voice, dance, acting, and performance skills. One of our biggest priorities is aligning all of our programs — from foundations to advanced performance groups — so students and families can clearly see the pathway of growth available to them.

We’re also excited to continue expanding opportunities within our Studio Theatre. Having our own performance space has allowed us to offer full seasons of productions and create a true artistic home for our students. We plan to build on that momentum with even stronger shows, new program offerings, and deeper community involvement.

Long term, I would love to see Born to Perform serve as a model for how performing arts education can blend high-level training with healthy culture. We want to continue raising the standard — not just in production quality, but in how we develop young leaders, collaborators, and confident individuals.

Growth is important, but sustainable growth is more important. Our future plans center around building strong systems, investing in our staff, and creating an environment where students can train seriously while still loving the process.

At the end of the day, the vision remains simple: create a place where young performers don’t just participate in theatre — they truly grow through it.

Pricing:

• • Musical Theatre Foundations Classes: Starting at $145 per month (weekly training in voice, acting, and dance)
• • Private Voice Lessons: Starting at $50 per lesson
• • Youth Musical Productions: Typically range from $525–$725 per production cycle, depending on length and show
• • Summer Day Camps & Intensives: Vary by program; typically range from $350–$725

Contact Info:

• Website: Borntoperformstudio.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/borntoperformstudio
• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/borntoperformstudio