The guy is excruciatingly cute, kind of like when a kitten is climbing up
your leg and its digging its claws into your flesh, and it hurts, but its
sooo cute you want it to continue...and he has some serious skittles on the
piano.

Really good teacher. If you are taking music take him, he makes classical
music interesting and enjoyable. He also plays piano alot, and hes really
good, which makes the class much more fun. Funny guy, and a good teacher,
you'll definitely learn, just go to class pay attention and dont slack.

I think I'm in love with him!!! He is so funny and so cute! Plus, he
relates music to real life situations and makes it super interesting.He
plays the piano in class all the time, and he CAN play. I think I'll ask
him to marry me after the semester's over.

The cutest thing in the world....

His piano is awesome, and you have got to love the hair!

But ask him about his real passion as of late - Ping Pong.

He will ping and pong you into submission, he is relentless on his attack
and lulls you to sleep with his defensive play, he is ruthless and craves
blood in every match!

Jazz appreciation was not really a class I was looking forward to taking,
but Budginas made it much more interesting. If he wasn't from Lithuania, it
would have been much less fun. His accent and wordchoice is classic! The
class consisted of lots of lectures (which were really long), one
presentation, and 2 tests. Tests were pretty easy. Had to memorize song
titles and artist (asked us for about 10-15 out of about 25). Not
unreasonable. I learned a little out of this class.
Grade: A

Funniest teacher in the world! if you dont like music it dosnt matter he
will entertain you just by the way he talks!!!!!!!!

Dr. Budginas has taught me a lot this fall. I have occasionally, casually
listened to classical music for years, but I feel I have a much better,
more in depth ear for classical pieces, and, actually other music as well.
I find myself listening to all music in a different way now and I enjoy it
more than ever.

As a teacher, he's been knowledgable, entertaining and thoughtful.
Intimidating? I don't think I would seriously call him intimidating...he's
playful and if you take him too seriously you lose out on his great sense
of humor. Yes, of course he wants you to pay attention, and ask questions
if you have them...but take any "intimidation" factor with a grain of
salt!

Rudolf is an awesome teacher! Definitely choose him as a professor, you
won't be sorry...as long as you pay attention...and it's not sunny out...he
likes the gloomy days =) His musical talent is a joy to listen to, in class
and in concert. His personal stories have been charming and I love his
accent!

Don't freak out if he calls on you, answer the best you can...humility can
be a good thing! ;) Next spring he is listed as the instructor for more
than just classical...I think he's also in for Jazz and American pop as
well...take a class and enjoy the experience! I'm very glad I did!

He is an awesome teacher, although very intimidating. He loves music
though, which is very important if you want to have any impact on students
just taking this class for a GE. 2 tests in the class that are super easy
if you just pay attention and go to class. He is really interesting to
listen to and tells lots of funny stories. If you have to take the class,
take it from him, he's fun. 

He is hard to understand and doesn't really teach.  But he is super easy
and tests don't exsist.  Good class to just get out of the way with a good
grade and not really having to try.

Very good teacher!

I am a front row person, and Dr. Budginas will intimidate you from the get
go.  He will awe you in his ability, a world reknown musician and amazing,
a privilege, to listen to.  You learn and realize just as much if not more
about life as you do about music.  Love the CD's, they will be your guide
to success, open the book to know the material, participate in class with
an effort to care and you will find the class an awesome experience.  I try
not to through out A's to the teachers I've had, but find Dr. Budginas
passion for what he does inspiring enough to fulfill his duty as a
professor.  Take the class to be inspired, not just pass a requirement.

Rudolf Budginas is a giant of a man who can palm a medicine ball. 
Rudolf Budginas not only killed 10 men with his bare hands, he then
proceeded to eat them and pooped out captain crunch. 
. . .then he played "Après une lecture du Dante" by franz liszt.

But seriously though, he's the most inspiring person I've ever met. If I
had a dollar, I'd give this guy five. 

I BEG TO DIFFER WITH THE BABBLING IDOT IN SLOT 2!!! I guess they don't
understand pure genius. Rudolf Budginas is one of the kindest teachers of
all time:) He really cares about his students. He makes his class is
incredibly fun and interesting. He is definitly not a joke like someone
else wrote in thier evaluation. I don't know what these people were
thinking! There's no better teacher to take classical appreciation from
since he is one of the worlds top piansts. You must take his class! 

He is very entertaining and good-willed.  Very nice and approachable. 
Better than eny other music teacher.

This teacher is amazing. He can be a bit intimidating at first, but in a
very charming way.
He is so passionate about what he's doing, and can make you just as
passionate about music that you might not have cared about before. 
He has such a humorous way of speaking that you can't help but listen and
watch his reactions carefully. 
On top of everything else, he is an AMAZING pianist.

This professor is an incredible concert pianist. He really knows his music.
You'll be sure to learn plenty about classical music if you take his
course, but he is a pretty tough teacher.

I took Rudolf for Jazz History over the summer time last year and he was
the scariesst most intimidating teacher i've ever had! If you dont know the
differnece from the trumpet and the clarinet on the first try he
embarrasses you in front of everyone!!!! He made at least 3 girls cry in
front of everyone. There is no homework, and if you listen to the CD given,
you'll do okay. But if he calls on you never say "I don't know" to his
question or else your done for! good luck!

This is just to say/
From a little group of fans/
That we love your class, Rudolf/
And think it fairest in the lands!/

And we know some of our classmates/
Consider it a scary tomb, sir/
But in OUR opinion it's so much fun/
To sit in YOUR classroom, sir/

And you know (in this class)/
There's a phenomenom concerning you/
You make us work, you make us quake/
But--somehow--we still love you!

Ahem! But we ought to go now/
Because we think our point is made:/
That we would choose no other teacher/
And this class we would not trade

Thank you! :D

Dude this guy's a joke.

I completely agree, he's a very nice charming man. Hmmm rather handsome
too, now that you mention it-- I challenge all ladies to not fall in love
with him. He's a terrific musician, and has a very broad knowledge about
his subject-- he surprises you with all the stuff he knows and can do. If
you simply use your books, use your ears, and use your head in this class,
he will commend you most graciously. He makes everything fun and
interesting, and has a very good sense of humor. In reference to those who
have said before that he's hard on you or makes a big deal out of your
being late or something, I beg to differ-- if he's hard on you then you
deserved it. It's a joy and privelage to sit in his class!    

Rudolph is so good!  He's so funny and he's really nice.  His accent is
cool.  Extremely coool.  He also kicks a** at piano!  Great teacher!

I have come to the complete conclusion that I like Dr. Budginas very much!
I think he is one of the coolest persons I have had the privelage to know.
His teaching is great fun, and though, it's true he is very adamant about
the students doing their share in participation and insight, that's the way
it should be! This is the case most especially with something like music,
becuase music should not be simply studied from a book, memorized, and
you're done. No! It should be explored by the students and they should not
just sit there like idiots. They should be willing to broaden their
horizons and minds, speak out, use their heads, and actually think about
it, and this teacher certainly not only expects this, he brings it out in
you. Dr. Budginas' enthuisiamsm and passion for music are so apparent that
you cannot help but love the class and love the teacher-- for an hour you
go away into a wonderful world of MUSIC! His lectures are quite
descriptive, and the man himself has a wonderful sense of humor, and this
makes for a very fun class. To have a musician of his caliber as my teacher
and to have just such a really cool guy as my teacher, well, let me just
say I hold him very highly and I count myself extremely lucky. Bravo!

If you go to class and make a mild effort you'll get a good grade. It helps
if you have an ear for music/musical memory. He made the class as easy as
possible and focused on knowledge retention instead of short term cramming.
I still use what I learned in his class and enjoyed him very much--he's a
great personality, but if you're ignorant or have a bad attitude he'll eat
you. Luckily, he doesn't see himsef as the sole authority on things and you
can argue with him, talk back (but not disrespectfully, only thoughtfully),
defend yourself, etc, and he'll give you credit for it.

He is funny at times and is a good teacher. Sometimes he can be a little
demanding and if you don't sing like he wants you to he gets frustrated and
angry. Don't take it personal. It's a great class because you get to sing
music that's different. Recommended.

This instuctor may be a great muscian, but it appears that he knows it. As
a result, I felt he exuded an extremely pompous attitude.As if this were
not horrible enough to have to endure for an entire semester, there's his
accent. It's a little strong which makes understanding his lectures quite
difficult. His lectures tended not to coincide with the text-not great for
test taking let me tell you. It was a miracle that I pulled off a decent
grade. Frankly, Mr. Budginas made me terrified of attending his class. He
seemed to focus his attention on one person per class and relentlessly pick
on them. Oh, and if you are two seconds (not two minutes)late for class,
prepare to be embarrassed. He will make sure to point you out to the rest
of the class.  Simply put, this guy was a horrible, horrible teacher.I
suggest choosing another instructor as Mr. Budginas needs to lighten up a
bit. It's only music appreciation after all, not brain surgery 101.

He is very passionate about his job and he will definitely keep you
entertained. 
* Note to yourselves: arrive to every class, always on time [dont be late]
and be ready to sing your heart out!