About Rick

Rick Richardson 8234 Lamont Ave., Niagara Falls, Ontario Ph 905-354-8053

Rick was born in the city of Niagara Falls, Ontario., Primarily self taught he travelled and played in a band as an instrumentalist and vocalist until 1976. He has worked with many fine band leaders, opened for and helped promote such artists as Tammy Wynette and Leona Boyd.

Rick’s formal education began when he studied classical guitar with Eli Kassner (who instructed Leona Boyd). Rick studied with Eli for four years and holds diplomas in grade nine classical guitar and grade Three harmony. He furthered his contemporary education studying with David Whitehill, transcription editor for two nationally distributed guitar magazines (guitar World and Guitar School). Rick has made music for the past 40 years, and he has produced 9 Silver Medalists (highest mark in Ontario awarded by Royal Conservatory of Music).

Work Experience

Jan 1987 – Present	Guitar Instructor (Classical and Modern) Responsible for instruction on Guitar and Bass Guitar. Tonic Music Studio 8234 Lamont Ave. Niagara Falls, Ontario L2G 6V8 Tel 905-354-8053
Sept 1978 to Sept 2006	Guitar Instructor (Classical and Modern) Responsible for instruction and report cards on Guitar and Bass Guitar. Ridley College Box 3013 L2R 7C3 St Catharines, Ontario
Sept 2001 – Sept 2003	Music Instructor (LTTA) Learning through the Arts program Niagara Catholic School Board in affiliation with the Royal Conservatory, using music to assist in teaching core curriculum in the Language, Math and Science programs.
Feb 1986 – Jun 1990	House Musician Lawrenceville Restaurant Highway #55 Virgil, Ontario L0S 1T0 Tel 468-4333
Sept 1980 – May 1985	Coordinator Organized and ran the winter (275 Students) and summer (391 Students) teaching programs employing 33 Teachers and 14 student apprentices. This included Payroll, Hiring, Budget design, Grant application and Bookeeping. Niagara Symphony Association Box 401 St Catharines, Ontario L2R 6V9
Sept 1979 – May 1985	Classical Guitar Instructor (Employer same as above) Responsible for instruction on Guitar and Bass Guitar
Oct 1977 – Sept 1979	Sales and Guitar Instructor Walter Ostanek’s Music Centre 41 Geneva Street St Catharines, Ontario L2R 4M5
Nov 1976 – Oct 1977	Sales and Store Manager Audet’s Music Store 4481 Queen Street Niagara Falls, Ontario L2E 2L4
1968 – 1976	Bass Guitarist and Vocalist Performances throughout Ontario and as far east as Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Personal Appearances

Ancaster, Burlington, Oakville, Mississauga, Brampton and St. Catharines Home Show 1993 to 2019. Strolling Vocal and Instrumental
Cottagefest 1996 to 2010. Strolling Vocal and Instrumental
Casino Niagara, Club 21 Niagara Falls, Ontario
Ch 10 Gogeco T.V. Conversations with Ted, January 2001, January 2002 on 4 shows as guest performer
Sears Grand Re-Opening, Sears Pen Centre, St Catharines Ontario. Strolling Vocal and Instrumental
Rinderlin’s Dining Room Welland, Ont. Vocal and Instrumental Soloist.
Pillar and Post Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont. Vocal and Instrumental Soloist.
Prince of Wales Hotel Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont. Vocal and Instrumental Soloist.
Shaw Festival (both G. B. S bar and Main Stage) Niag-on-the-Lake (G.B.S Bar) Vocal and Instrumental Soloist. (Main Stage) Selected and Rehearsed Musicians, performed as Bass Guitarist in Four piece Band which opened the TAMMY WYNETTE SHOW February 14, 1979
C.F.G.M. (Syndicated Radio Show) OPRY NORTH (46 Stations Nationwide) Instrumental Soloist.
Park Motor Hotel 4960 Clifton Hill, Niagara Falls, Ontario
Skylon Tower 5200 Robinson St, Niagara Falls, Ontario
Clarion Old Stone Inn 5425 Robinson St, Niagara Falls, Ontario

Movie Appearances

Mont Blonc Films (1982) Won’t Dance starring Kristi McNicoll Cast as Orchestra Guitarist
Heno Hinum Prod.(1986) Magic, Myths and Miracles Cast as an English Police Officer

Education

1999-2003	Returned part time to Brock University for Bachelor Degree in Music.
1986 – 1987	Studied privately with Dave Whitehill Transcription Editor for two National Guitar Magazines (Guitar World and Guitar School)
1985	Passed Royal Conservatory of Music University of Toronto Grade 3 Harmony Exam (Honour Mark)
1980 – 1984	Studied privately with Eli Kassner at Eli Kassner Guitar Academy 19 Belmont Street Toronto, Ontario M5R 1P9 Tel 922-8002
1984	Passed Royal Consevatory of Music University of Toronto Grade 9 Classical Guitar Exam.
1984	Attended 3rd International Guitar Festival Toronto, Ont. (June 22-26).
1982	Attended Songwriting Seminar presented by Canadian Musician Magazine Sheraton Centre, Toronto (Nov 1-2)
1981	Attended Songwriting Seminar presented by Canadian Musician Magazine Hotel Toronto, Toronto (Oct 26).
1981	Passed Royal Conservatory of Music University of Toronto Grade 7 Classical Guitar Exam.
1980	Passed Royal Conservatory of Music University of Toronto Grade 6 Classical Guitar and Grade 2 Theory Exams ( both First Class Honours)
1979	Passed Royal Conservatory of Music University of Toronto Grade 5 Classical Guitar Exam (Honours).
1975	Passed Royal Conservatory of Music University of Toronto Grade 4 Classical Guitar Exam (Honours).
1961 – 1967	Stamford Collegiate Niagara Falls, Ont.

Student Accomplishments

9 Silver Medal Students Royal Conservatory of Music highest mark in Ontario Frank Oliver Gr 1 & Gr 6, David Holmes Gr 1 & Gr 2 attended Berklee School of Music, Rick Morton Gr 1, Greg Lostracco Gr 1 & Gr 7, Paul Allaster Gr 1, JP Dupont.
Instructed band “Ditto” who won Rock storm the best band in Ontario award.
Instructed 4 of the 5 band members of the band. Greg Lostracco won Scholarship for Selkirk College Paul All aster & John Paul Dupont shared Frank Syriani Music Award for Notre Dame High School 2 years in a row

Special Skills

Instigated and implemented the computerization of the Niagara Symphony And have worked with Data Base, Word Processing and Spreadsheet procedures.

Introduced and implemented at Ridley College the use of Music Theory instruction, testing and record keeping of students using the computer with MIDI interfacing using Alfred’s Music Theory, MiBac Music,