In the sixties, Richard was drawn into the contemporary folk music scene. the Blues, Dylan, Joan Baez. He quickly learned the guitar and absorbed the delta blues of Leadbelly and Lightnin’ Hopkins, the folk of Dylan, Joan Baez, Peter Paul and Mary; the rock music of the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. He belonged to several informal performing folk, blues, and rock groups, appearing at clubs, parties, and outdoor celebrations.
In the seventies and eighties his interest in jazz and popular styles blossomed as he taught himself to play the piano. He obtained a B.A. in Music in ’91 (CSU Sonoma) and began offering lessons in piano and jazz vocals. He sang with two prestigious choirs: the Oakland Jazz Choir for six years and the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir for 2 years. In the past 10 years, he has taught Chorus at 3rd –5th grade and at high school levels in the public schools, helping to produce a TV program with his local high school chorus class. He has taught vocal jazz and jazz combo workshops at Adult Schools and Community Centers and at Blue Bear School in S.F. since 1997. From his home studio, he has taught private voice and piano lessons to beginners of all ages; and vocal coaching to numerous students preparing for auditions for musicals, college classes, singing contests, weddings and special events. Several of his former students now sing professionally. In 1997, he formed a vocal jazz quintet, CON ALMA, which performs in bay area clubs, at festivals, and private events and fundraisers. He writes most of the arrangements for the group and produced the first CD in 2001.

BIO/EDUCATION:
Education: BA in Music, focusing on Jazz Studies, CSU Sonoma.
Workshops with Jazz Recording Artists: Madeline Eastman, Mark Murphy, Kitty Margolis, Faye Carol, Sheila Jordan. Studied Jazz Piano with Mark Levine.
Attended numerous summer and winter sessions organized by Jazz Camp West and Rhythmic Concepts, Inc. Graduate studies in Music at CSU Dominguez Hills, focus on Music and Composition. Jazz Combo studies at Jazzschool in Berkeley, CA.