Since Chrissy Ricker, ’00, ’04 (M.M.), was a child, her life has been filled with music. Growing up, her favorite activities were creating music and writing. Now, as a professional composer and arranger, Ricker has made a career out of her passions. 

Ricker received her Bachelor of Arts in Music in 2000 and Master of Music in piano performance and pedagogy in 2004 from Meredith.

Ricker specializes in creating original music and arrangements of popular music for piano students and creates educational resources for piano teachers. 

“I love hearing from teachers and students who are enjoying my music. I’ve gotten the kindest messages from teachers who have told me that a certain piece ‘saved’ a student from quitting piano lessons,” said Ricker. 

Ricker has published 40 collections of piano solo and duet music for students and has also arranged hundreds of pop, classical, video game, and anime titles for pianists at all levels. She also uploads her tutorials and music to her YouTube channel. 

She is a founding member of the Carolina Contemporary Composers, which is a group dedicated to creating and performing new music in North Carolina. 

“I think the key to success in this business is to work consistently to build a large body of high-quality work that embodies your own unique, creative vision,” said Ricker.

Her job as a composer allows her the flexibility to be creative and to focus on projects that interest her. She’s also had the opportunity to connect with students and teachers around the world who are teaching and performing her music. 

“During the pandemic, I received messages from people who told me how much they enjoyed playing my music during lockdown and how much of an emotional outlet it was for them during such a difficult time,” she said. “Messages like that make me feel like my music is making a real difference, however small, in people’s lives.”