Ric began to seriously study of music at the Blair School of Music and Sewanee Summer Music Center throughout high school; then continued at the University of Tennessee with a Bachelor of Music, Southern Methodist University with a Master of Music and a couple of years on the streets of Chicago. The next 18 years before moving to Lincoln he spent professionally in music as a symphony performer, private and college instructor, recording musician and symphony manager. Since moving to Lincoln, he has served the local music community as a manager at Dietze Music; teaching music, privately and as instructor of horn and brass ensemble at Nebraska Wesleyan University; and performing music as a regular member of the Nebraska Brass, Lincoln Municipal Band, Nebraska Chamber players and the Lincoln/Omaha area freelancing community.