Artichoke Community Music Teachers

Richard Colombo

Music Bio

Richard is the owner of Artichoke Music and the Executive Director of the non-profit, Artichoke Community Music. His life is packed with the joy of music.

He picked up his first guitar at the age of twelve and has been playing and singing ever since. In the 1970's he taught kindergarten and incorporated music, song, movement and improvisation using voice and guitar. In the early 1980's he began his professional music career performing in coffeehouses and clubs in the San Francisco Bay area. He later formed a duo with Miche Evans called "Richard and Miche". In 1982 they recorded and produced their debut album "Take a Chance" on Dapne Records. The album consisting of all original music gave way to a busy performing schedule for the singer-songwriter duo. Richard and Miche became mainstays in the bay area folk music scene.

Richard moved to Portland, Oregon in 1985 and continued to perform as a solo artist as well as in duos. In 1991 he enrolled in the music program at Portland State University where he studied classical guitar and earned a B.A. in Music. Returning to music school as an adult and accomplished musician gave Richard the confidence to push his own musical limits and explore new ideas. This led to the release of his CD "Carry the Dream" consisting of twelve original instrumental songs for guitar.

He has a natural way of making his students feel at ease and creating a comfortable environment where they can grow and push their own limits. Richard's approach is to focus on where each individeual student's interest lies while incorporating basic musicianship skills such as technique, music theory, singing and songwriting.

Richard loves his work and feels blessed that music is his life. He believes that music can break down all barriers and has the power to heal and transform the human experience and create positive change in the world. Whether he is teaching or performing to a large group in a concert hall, intimate coffeehouse or to a group of children, he can feel and see the joy that music brings into everyone's life.

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