From asphalt to orchestra: Lenexa violinist finds rhythm after work

Published on May 08, 2026

After a long day working on Lenexa’s streets, where pavement temperatures can climb as high as 300 degrees, Alex Ruiz trades in heavy equipment for something far more delicate — his violin.

At 22, Ruiz balances a demanding schedule that would wear most people down. He works full-time in street maintenance for the City, then heads to his second job as a manager at Chipotle three nights a week, often staying until midnight, sometimes as late as 2 a.m. But somewhere between the heat of the asphalt and the late-night shifts, he’s found his rhythm.

This summer, Ruiz is again part of the Lenexa Community Orchestra as it celebrates its 10th season — a milestone for a group built on connection, passion and the idea that music should be accessible to everyone.

For Ruiz, it’s more than a hobby. It’s how he unwinds. It’s how he grows. And, in many ways, it’s how he makes sense of the world. “It’s about immersing yourself in the music.  Understanding the story, the image and what the composer is trying to say,” Ruiz said. “Then sharing that with others.”

A late start that stuck

Ruiz didn’t plan his path to the orchestra. When he joined the City of Lenexa a few years ago, he mentioned during a new employee orientation that he played violin. Someone in the room encouraged him to check out the community orchestra.

He missed the audition deadline, but he didn’t miss the opportunity. Ruiz was invited to join for the final concert of the season, where the orchestra performed “Symphony No. 5” by Dmitri Shostakovich. The experience stuck immediately. “I loved being able to immerse myself in the music with other people,” he said.

A lifelong connection to music

Ruiz’s journey with the violin started modestly. Growing up in Overland Park, just minutes from Lenexa, he originally wanted to play the flute. His aunt suggested the violin instead. He agreed to give it a year. That year turned into something more.

By sixth grade, Ruiz was showing up early for free morning practices to improve. He continued playing through high school at Shawnee Mission South High School, balancing music with a full load of honors and AP classes.

Without private lessons, something many of his peers had, Ruiz relied on discipline. After school, he would come home, pick up his violin and play.

His senior year, he gave the viola a try without much instruction and got first chair. Music had become part of who he was.

Finding a place and people

Now, in the Lenexa Community Orchestra, Ruiz has found something else: connection. The group draws musicians from across the region — from nearby communities to as far as Nebraska — all brought together by a shared love of music. His younger sister will even join him this season. The two already perform together at weddings for friends.

“You get to meet new people, learn new music and share the same passion,” Ruiz said.

He credits conductor Richard Ryan for creating that environment. “Richard makes you think about the music,” Ruiz said. “He gives you feedback, you get to improve and learn, and Richard is good at helping you understand the story of what you’re playing.”

Music as meaning

For Ruiz, music goes deeper than performance. His favorite piece, “The Last Spring” by Edvard Grieg, carries personal meaning. The piece reflects on endings and appreciating moments before they’re gone. It reminds Ruiz of his grandfather.

Each spring, his grandfather would travel from Mexico to visit for two months. The two spent their time walking and talking. Simple moments that left a lasting impression.

Ruiz once promised he would visit him in Mexico when he turned 18. However, a month before his birthday, his grandfather passed away unexpectedly. “That was really hard,” Ruiz said.

The following year, Ruiz made the trip anyway. Surrounded by mountains and the landscape his grandfather once knew, he found both grief and peace. Now, when he plays “The Last Spring,” he feels that connection again. “It helps me think about those moments,” he said.

A rhythm that works

Despite his packed schedule, Ruiz makes time for the orchestra each summer. The commitment is manageable — four two-hour rehearsals ahead of each performance — but the impact is lasting.

“It’s work, but it’s so rewarding,” he said. “Even if you haven’t played in a while, it’s a welcoming environment. You can just come and have fun.”

More than music

As the Lenexa Community Orchestra marks its 10th season, stories like Ruiz’s highlight what makes the group special. It’s not just about the music. It’s about people finding their place — whether that’s on a stage, on a street crew or somewhere in between.

For Ruiz, the contrast couldn’t be clearer.

By day, he works in the heat, helping maintain the City’s infrastructure. By night, he plays. And in those moments, the noise of the day fades, replaced by something quieter, deeper and lasting.