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Throughout his college years at Ithaca College, Rick formed meaningful relationships with influential figures such as Paul Smith, a fellow musician with a vast jazz and classical record collection. Paul’s mentorship and their shared musical interests nurtured Rick’s dual passion for jazz and classical music, fostering a broad and deep musical knowledge base.
Academic and Musical Development
Rick’s academic path was marked by versatility—initially studying jazz guitar, then switching to double major in bass and jazz guitar for his undergraduate degree. His education emphasized a well-rounded approach, including classical instruction through Ithaca College’s affiliation with the Suzuki String program.