Rich Sumstad

Before relocating to St. Marys, Ontario Rich was the music department head at Nathan Hale High School in the Seattle School District for 12 years where his ensembles, both choral and instrumental, consistently took top honors at national and international festivals. Rich's ensembles have had the honor of sharing the stage with Herbie Mann, Phil Matson, Michelle Weir, M-Pact, Michael Powers, and Alexey Nikolaev as well as performing in venues from the Seattle Opera House to New York's Carnegie Hall.

A master educator, Rich has also been the recipient of the following personal awards: 1998 Washington State Music Educator of the Year,1999 Seattle School District Golden Apple Award, 2000 Christa McCauliffe Excellence in Education Award, 4 times nominated for the A+ Award. Equally at home in both the instrumental and vocal worlds Rich has performed with Bob Mintzer, Grant Goodeve, Tommy Banks, Dee Daniels, Campbell Ryga, Larry Bragg, Carol Welsman, Tom Politzer, Bill Champlin, Mic Gillette, Jeff Tamlier, and Roger Treece.

Rich is a founding member of both The Emerald City Jazz Orchestra and Strokeland Record’s DoctorfunK.

Rich is in demand as an adjudicator/clinician at jazz festivals across North America.