Rick Starling
Percussion, Keys, Vocals
Rick Starling has been involved in music nearly all his life. A graduate of Cape Fear High School and East Carolina University, he has composed, taught, performed and recorded in nearly every genre over 30 years. His scholastic percussion compositions have been performed from Atlanta to Indianapolis.
Rick has taught band in the NC public schools for 25 years and directs the bands at John Griffin Middle and Jack Britt High. He earned a Music & Arts National Music Educator nomination in 2016 and a Grammy nomination in 2017 for his work with students. Away from Rivermist he is an in-demand percussionist with orchestras, jazz ensembles and theater productions, including the Fayetteville Jazz Orchestra.
Back home in Stedman, Rick is married to his wife Rebecca, and they have three grown sons: Jamie, Solomon and Erick. He proudly endorses Vic Firth sticks and mallets and Sabian cymbals.