Rick received his Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Northern Colorado (UNC) in 1981. His emphasis was secondary instrumental music, and the main instrument he played was the trumpet (which he still plays today). While at UNC, he performed with the UNC Jazz Lab Band and the UNC Wind Ensemble.
After playing trumpet for the Evergreen Chorale, Rick served as Orchestra Coordinator for 10 years. During that same period of time, he taught band at Clear Creek Secondary School (1983-1986); played with the Jay Wieder Dance Orchestra (1980-2002) at dance clubs in Kansas, Nebraska, and Colorado; and played cornet and flugelhorn with the Rocky Mountain Brassworks (1996-2002). Rick continues to share his instrumental expertise by playing with the Classical Brass Quintet, as he has since 2002.
Rick joined the HRCC in the summer of 2007 for our 4th of July performances. He served as Assistant Director during that fall's Chorus season, and accepted the position as Director for the Spring season 2008.