Rick Cox has been a professional guitarist for over fifty-five years. He began performing in public at age 10 eventually serving in the U.S. Navy Music Program as a staff guitarist, conductor and Assistant Band Director.He has performed throughout Europe, Africa, South America, Canada and the United States on classical guitar and in contemporary and jazz ensembles. His guitar artistry provided him the opportunity to represent the United States at official State Department diplomatic functions and hosting Presidents, high-level dignitaries and their guests from the United States and abroad.After retiring from the U.S. Navy Music Program he founded The Spirit Ridge Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries: Audibly Addicted Productions, Washington Academy of Music, WestSound Recording, Tim Cox Music and The SRG Podcast Network. In addition to overseeing business operations he is a working musician with an active schedule of recording, teaching and curriculum development.Rick holds advanced degrees from The University of the State of New York, Excelsior College and the U.S. Navy School of Music (Advanced Course). He is a Founding Teacher of the Royal Conservatory’s Music Certificate Program, a Royal Conservatory of Music Certified Teacher and serves as a Presiding Officer for Assessments and Examinations of The Royal Conservatory of Music.As a teacher Rick believes the study of music, throughout the process of mastering a musical instrument, is a key element in overall human development as well as instilling a life-long habit, awareness and personal commitment to excellence in every endeavor, big or small, in each student.