Richard is part of a small handful of professors of contemporary music in the world. He was the long-time chair of the Studio/Jazz Guitar Department at the USC ThorntonSchool of Music, one of the top music schools in the world. He started the first Doctorate of contemporary guitar styles in the world, and several graduates are now professors themselves. His former students are working in situations from the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Maynard Fergusen and Michael Buble, to Madonna, Snoop Dog, Group 182, B.T., Oliver Stone, Josh Grobin and Clay Aiken.

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STUDENT NEWS

Stig Mathisen is now the new guitarist for ALCATRAZ, Adam Hawley is the new guitarist for the MANHATTAN TRANSFER, Dino Menighen is the Guitarist for MICHAEL BUBLE...congratulations fellas!

EDUACATION NEWS - SEMINARS COMING UP:

USC LAUNCHES IT'S POPULAR MUSIC PROGRAM - Starring Lamont Dozier, Peter Erskine, Ndugu, Patrice Rushen, Alphonso Johnson and many more….

We will be teaching popular music at the conservatory level for the first time,
anywhere! Anyone who knows me well enough to have heard my ideas about teaching knows that this has been a life-long dream for me, and as you can see, it will be an amazing faculty, nestled in an incredible school and planted in Americas
music capitol.

This L.A. Times article will explain more: http://www.latimes..com/entertainment/la-et-uscpop22-2008oct22,0,2147822.story