Richard received his Master of Music Degree from University of Illinois where he graduated magna cum laude under the tutelage of noted Bach expert, Sergiu Luca. Formerly 1st Violinist of the Los Angeles Chamber, LA Opera, Joffrey Ballet, and Houston Symphony Orchestras, he has also served as Concertmaster of the Mozart Camerata, Associate Concertmaster of the Omaha, Berkeley, and Hollywood Bowl Orchestras, and member of the Fontenelle String Quartet. Richard performs currently as Concertmaster of Auburn Symphony and InConcert Sierra. He has been featured locally as a chamber musician and as soloist for Music in the Mountains, inConcert Sierra, and the Apollo Arts Ensemble.
An active Hollywood recording musician having been involved in over 1000 filmscores (including performing as Principal 2nd Violin for Danny Elfman, Randy Newman & John Williams). He has also been offering a seminar entitled A Century of Music in Film and Home Studio Recording on a Budget at Sierra College.
Richard is also a composer for concert stage, video games, TV and film. He has recently scored two feature films, “Stealing Time” (drama) and “The Dark” (horror). He has been a featured composer at Sundance. Richard was also chosen among 12 composers worldwide to participate in the prestigious ASCAP Film Composers’ Workshop, composing, arranging, conducting and recording with the Hollywood Studio Orchestra at 20th C. Fox.
His concert works include “Poe-etic Reflexions” (piano trio), “If” (mixed chamber ensemble), “Winter for Ivan” (cello & orchestra), and “The Jester’s Waltz” (piano solo). He is currently composing “Phantasy on 3 Ancient Christmas Carols” (with bows to both William Byrd and Bach!) for violin alone.
Richard and musician/singer wife Dawn are the proud parents of a very musical young son Bren, and reside in Nevada County, CA.