Rick’s passion for the marching arts has spanned decades, beginning in middle school and blossoming through his high school years. While in high school, he marched tenors for both the Reading Buccaneers and the Garfield Cadets. He had the privilege of winning a DCI World Championship with the Cadets in 1984. These experiences not only solidified his love for the activity but also ignited a deep interest in both visual and musical design.
Rick’s time at the Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University further fueled his dedication to the marching arts. While earning his degree in Music Education with a focus on band directing and percussion, he designed and taught for various New Jersey marching bands and performed with the Conquest winterguard. After graduation, he taught full-time as a middle school band director and also freelanced as an adjunct instructor and designer for various groups.
Also in the 1990s, Rick and his wife Chris founded Shadow Danse, a winterguard that went on to win the 1997 WGI Open Class Championship. In 1995, Rick and Chris co-founded the Mid-Atlantic Indoor Network (MAIN) alongside Ginny Kraft and Charlie Weir. Since its creation, the #1 priority of the association has been to provide evaluations at the local-level in line with WGI’s national standards. MAIN has since grown to over 140 member units. Rick was honored as an inaugural inductee into the MAIN Hall of Fame.
In his 36th year as a band director, Rick remains deeply committed to transforming lives through education. He is honored to serve as an adjudicator with US Bands, where he upholds the high standards of excellence he values, while also recognizing and celebrating the dedication and hard work of unit directors, designers, and staff members.
Rick’s time at the Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University further fueled his dedication to the marching arts. While earning his degree in Music Education with a focus on band directing and percussion, he designed and taught for various New Jersey marching bands and performed with the Conquest winterguard. After graduation, he taught full-time as a middle school band director and also freelanced as an adjunct instructor and designer for various groups.
Also in the 1990s, Rick and his wife Chris founded Shadow Danse, a winterguard that went on to win the 1997 WGI Open Class Championship. In 1995, Rick and Chris co-founded the Mid-Atlantic Indoor Network (MAIN) alongside Ginny Kraft and Charlie Weir. Since its creation, the #1 priority of the association has been to provide evaluations at the local-level in line with WGI’s national standards. MAIN has since grown to over 140 member units. Rick was honored as an inaugural inductee into the MAIN Hall of Fame.
In his 36th year as a band director, Rick remains deeply committed to transforming lives through education. He is honored to serve as an adjudicator with US Bands, where he upholds the high standards of excellence he values, while also recognizing and celebrating the dedication and hard work of unit directors, designers, and staff members.