Richard Duke

Originally from Alaska, Richard began playing electric bass as a teenager and took up the double bass in college. With degrees from University of California Santa Cruz (BA) and Northwestern University (MM) Richard performs throughout the Bay Area with numerous groups presenting Opera, Symphonic Orchestra, Ballet, Tango, Salsa, Jazz, Broadway shows, Cabaret and Rock and Roll. Richard is a member of the Monterey Symphony, Napa Valley Symphony and Sacramento Philharmonic, as well as occasional substitute player with San Francisco Ballet, San Francisco Opera, Philharmonia Baroque, and numerous Broadway productions. Show credits include Color Purple, Wicked, Spamalot, Legally Blonde, Young Frankenstein, Beauty and the Beast, West Side Story, Chicago, Light in the Piazza, Edward Scissorhands.

As an educator Richard is the Double Bass teaching artist with San Francisco Symphony’s Instrument Training and Support Program, working with Middle School and High School students in the San Francisco Public schools. The program includes the annual “Winter Bass Bash” recital, bringing over one hundred bassists together on a single day to perform music for the double bass. Richard has served as director for GGBC since the move to San Francisco at the Drew School in 2012.

Richard lives in San Francisco with his wife and two beautiful children.