Richard (Rick) Lawn is Dean of the College of Performing Arts at The University of the Arts. Formerly, Rick was affiliated with the University of Texas at Austin where he served as Director of Jazz Studies, Chair of the Department of Music, and Associate Dean for academic affairs. He also served as Director of the Center for Advanced Studies in the Arts at UT. Before joining the Texas faculty he was Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Northern Iowa and began his teaching career in the Oneonta, NY public school system and Hartwick College. Rick holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from the Eastman School of Music where he specialized in woodwind performance and jazz studies. His primary teachers have been Rayburn Wright, Manny Albam, Chuck Mangione and William Osseck.
Rick has received several notable composition grants from the National Endowment of the Arts and, as a member of the Nova Saxophone Quartet, has recorded on the Musical Heritage Society, Crystal and Equilibrium labels. The Sea Breeze record label issued Unknown Soldiers, a CD recorded by the Third Coast Jazz Orchestra featuring his compositions and arrangements. It has received favorable reviews in Cadence Magazine and The Austin American Statesman. Kendor Music, CL Barnhouse, Walrus Music, Concept Music, Alfred Music, Dorn, and UNC Press music among others publish his music. His arrangement of Donna Lee was recorded by Bobby Sanabrias New York Latin big band on his 2001 Grammy nominated CD. Ricks books entitled The Jazz Ensemble Directors Manual and Jazz Theory and Practice (that includes interactive software) have become staples among jazz educators and students.
Ensembles under his direction have won acclaim at national conferences and festivals throughout the US and Europe. Performing experiences include extended engagements with Lionel Hampton, Chuck Mangione, the Rochester Philharmonic, and the Austin Symphony among others. He has performed in back-up orchestras for Dizzy Gillespie, Joe Williams, Natalie Cole, Marian McPartland, The Temptations, The Four Tops, Dianne Schuur, Rosemary Clooney and a host of others. The Selmer Company has sponsored Ricks performances and clinics and in 2004 he was elected to serve as Treasurer of the International Association for Jazz Education.
