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 music in nearly every genre over the last 30 years. His scholastic compositions have been performed as far south as Atlanta, GA and as far north as Indianapolis, Indiana, and have earned him a reputation as a top-notch composer of all facets of percussion music. As an educator, Rick has taught band in the NC Public School System for 25 years, and currently directs bands at John Griffin Middle and Jack Britt High Schools. Rick earned a Music & Arts National Music Educator Nomination in 2016, followed by a Grammy Nomination in 2017 for his work with middle and high school children in and out of the classroom, and for his commitment to excellence in music. As a performer, he is no stranger to stages up and down the eastern seaboard, but some of his favorite moments have been right here in North Carolina where he gets to share the stage with the other incredible members of Rivermist! When not performing with the group, he is an in-demand percussionist throughout North Carolina where he plays with orchestras, jazz ensembles, and theater productions. Locally, you may spot him playing drum set for the Fayetteville Jazz Orchestra, or percussion in the Snyder Memorial Baptist Church Orchestra, where he also attends church. Now back “home” in Stedman, Rick is happily married to his wife Rebecca, and they have three grown sons - Jamie, who is an entertainment attorney in Nashville, TN; Solomon, who directs student programs at Morehead Planetarium in Chapel Hill, NC; and Erick, who is a First Responder preparing to enter Med School. Rick Starling proudly endorses Vic Firth sticks and mallets, Sabian Cymbals, and whoever made that cool USA rug that is set up underneath all his toys every night on stage