Rick Puzzo
Published Works
As an independent percussionist, Rick has performed with the Wyoming Symphony, Tucson Symphony, Arizona Opera, the University of Arizona Symphony, the University of Arizona Wind Ensemble, the Rappahannock Pops Orchestra, the Stafford Choral Society, the Fredericksburg Chorus, the Friday Morning Music Club in Washington, DC, the McLean Orchestra in Virginia, and participated in a Masterworks Festival sponsored by the Avanti Orchestra in Maryland.
From 2011-15, he was the Principal Percussionist with the Sierra Vista Symphony Orchestra and was a regular performer with the Southern Arizona Symphony Orchestra. Rick performed with SASO as timpanist at the Oaxaca Opera Festival in Mexico and in Brazil at the Gramado in Concert Orchestra Festival. Rick was the principal percussionist with the Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic and performed with the Capital Wind Symphony. Active in musical theatre, he was the percussionist for shows produced by the University of Arizona, Stagedoor Productions in Fredericksburg, VA, the University of Mary Washington, and the Riverside Dinner Theatre in Stafford VA. While in Arizona, Rick performed with a Marty Robbins Tribute Band who performed to sold out audiences in the Phoenix and Tucson area.
Rick performs on the marimba as a soloist for various occasions such as ceremonies, weddings, dinners, and religious services. Rick was a soloist and performed with the University of Arizona Rosewood Marimba Ensemble at the 2013 Bob McCormick Marimba Festival in Tampa, FL.
As a teacher, Rick is involved in providing private and group lessons, as well as composing, arranging, and instructing marching percussion. As the assistant band director at Orange Grove Middle School in Tucson, AZ, he started a percussion ensemble program in 6th, 7th and 8th grades. The percussion ensembles performed at all concerts, for assemblies, and other special events. Rick has taught high school programs, at the collegiate level and in the Drum Corps International as a front ensemble instructor with the Jersey Surf from 2004 through 2007.
Rick earned a Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the University of Arizona where he studied with Dr Norm Weinberg. Rick holds a Master of Music degree in percussion performance, also from the University of Arizona. He received a Bachelor of Music degree in Applied Percussion from West Virginia University where he studied with Dr. Phil Faini, Jan Fung and David Satterfield. From 2007 through 2009, Rick continued his percussion studies with Svet Stoyanov through the Peabody Preparatory.
Dr. Puzzo's current position is Assistant Professor of Music at Chadron State College in Chadron, NE where he directs the percussion program and teaches music history courses.
Dr. Puzzo is a Black Swamp Percussion Education Artist and a member of the Vic Firth Education Team.