Programs With Rich

There is no one-way to categorize pianist Rich Ridenour. His concerts of great piano classics encompass the masterworks as well as traditional American styles including ragtime, jazz and rock n' roll - all presented with his inimitable humor. Critics have hailed him as the next "Victor Borge waiting in the wings". Recent symphony engagements include Knoxville, Portland (ME), Wichita, Midland-Odessa, South Bend, Billings, Elgin, Rockford and nearly all of the orchestras in his home state of Michigan!

Rich has held numerous teaching positions including Aquinas College, Grand Valley State University, Calvin College and Western Michigan University. Because of his interest in music outreach and the development of musically aspiring youth, Mr. Ridenour co-founded the Grand Rapids Musicians1 League and created the popular Summer Cooler Series, held at the Meijer Gardens in Grand Rapids, MI.

Currently, Rich is the Education Director for the Gilmore International Keyboard Festival in Kalamazoo, MI. In this role, he is developing an after school musical enrichment program titled the Gilmore Keys Club, a summer music camp for beginners and intermediate pianists, and maintains an in-school residency and informance program utilizing great pianists from around the world.

A native of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Rich received a Bachelor's degree in music from the University of Michigan and a Master's degree from the Juilliard School of Music. His teachers include Louis Nagel, Josef Raieff, William Bolcom, Eugene Bossart and Ruth Hemmes.

Rich lives in Portage, MI with his wife Stacy, Executive Director of the Kalamazoo Symphony, and their two fast growing boys, Brandon and Ross.

For more information on Rich's concert schedule and recordings, Click Here.