Richard Fields made his solo debut at age sixteen with the New World School of the Arts High School in Miami and went on to win awards in the Jazz at Lincoln Center Competition hosted by Wynton Marsalis. Based in New York City, he performs regularly with Classical and Latin Jazz ensembles. He received his Master's Degree in Classical Trumpet Performance from SUNY Purchase and second Master's Degree in Music Education from Columbia University. During his time at SUNY Purchase, his principal teachers were Graham Ashton, Rich Klemer and Lee Soper. He has also participated in the Luzerne Music Center and the Las Vegas Music Festivals. As a smooth jazz artist, he is currently featured as a performer and composer on the album Walk Away alongside Mike Marrocco. Richard Fields currently teaches music in a STEAM Middle School and previously taught music in a Title I High School where he initiated the school's first music program and taught Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced Band classes as well as Beginning Piano and Guitar, and Latin Jazz. He also performs as part of his classical brass quintet Parallel Brass. His work as a performer and teacher has allowed him to experience the best of both worlds as he continue to pursue his musical dreams while helping others pursue theirs as well.