Professional Musician and Reedmaker

Education

Originally from Plainfield, Illinois, Rich is a 1984 graduate of Plainfield High School. He received a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Western Illinois University in 1988. After beginning his Master’s degree at Illinois State University (studying with Michael Dicker), he returned to Western to finish and graduated with his Master’s degree in Bassoon Performance in 1993 (studying with Dr. Robert Koper).

Teaching Experience

Rich taught band in Illinois for 8 years, most notably at Lincoln Way Community High School in New Lenox. Under his direction in 1995, the “Marching Knights” finished 2nd overall at the State of Illinois Marching Band Competition Finals held at Illinois State University, also taking the Outstanding Color Guard and Outstanding Drum Line trophies. After relocating to Florida, Rich taught for 6 years in the Orange County Public Schools, most notably as the Associate Director at Winter Park High School, Winter Park, where in 2006 the WPHS Wind Ensemble performed at the 60th Annual Midwest Clinic held in Chicago, Illinois.

Currently

Rich is a freelance musician/clinician/private teacher in the Orlando area and a CT Musician/Disney Performing Arts Instrumental Clinician with Walt Disney World. He and his wife, Betsy, have lived in Orlando since 2001 with their four cats, Calypso, Coda, Salsa, and Samba.