About Ruelaine Stokes

Poet and Spoken Word Artist Ruelaine Stokes

Poet and Spoken Word Artist Ruelaine Stokes

For many years, Ruelaine has been a major force on the Lansing arts scene as a poet, spoken word artist, teacher, and coordinator of poetry and arts events.

She gives readings and teaches workshops on poetry, creative writing and the art of spoken word. Her voice is wonderfully expressive and captures the dynamics, nuances of pacing and emotional color that bring a poem to life.

Her workshops include Finding Your Voice, Poetry as a Healing Art and Creative Writing Strategies and Games. (For more information, see Readings/Workshops.)

Ruelaine has a BA in English literature from Stanford University, an MA in English literature from Michigan State University, and an MA in Teaching from the School for International Training in Brattleboro, Vermont.

She worked for many years teaching English as a Second Language—at Michigan State University, Lansing Community College, and in community ESL programs. She also taught classes in English literature, Poetry, Women’s History and Writing.

Currently, she works as a poet, spoken word artist, teacher and arts organizer. She is the president of the Lansing Poetry Club and a member of the Board of the Ten Pound Fiddle.