Rich Hinman

Position
Assistant Professor
Affiliated Departments

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Rich Hinman has been a working musician—playing guitar and pedal steel guitar—for over 20 years, touring and/or recording with artists, such as k.d. lang, Sara Bareilles, Rosanne Cash, Maren Morris, Vulfpeck, Emily King, Josh Ritter, Paula Cole, Hiss Golden Messenger, and many more. His quartet with guitarist Adam Levy, Rich Hinman vs. Adam Levy, has made two records, VS and Fan Favorites; his solo record Memorial came out in 2023 from Colorfield Records.

Career Highlights
  • Guitarist and pedal steel player
  • Toured with k.d. lang, Sara Bareilles, Rosanne Cash, Watkins Family Hour, Paula Cole, and more
  • Recorded with Maren Morris, Vulfpeck, Emily King, St. Vincent, Tanya Tucker, Josh Ritter, and Sara Bareilles
  • Appeared on Saturday Night Live, the Tonight Show, American Idol (house band special guest), The Voice, and the Late Show with David Letterman
  • Member of long-running quartet Rich Hinman vs. Adam Levy with guitarist Adam Levy
  • Recordings include VS (Rich Hinman vs Adam Levy), Glacier, EP, Christmastown, and Memorial from Colorfield Records
Awards
  • Nominated for Instrumentalist of the Year, Americana Music Association (2020)
In Their Own Words
The most important lesson I can give my students is the importance of fundamentalsof time, sound, and feeland how they serve as a foundation for whatever style you want to play, on whatever instrument.

I've worked a lot as a side personlive and in the studioand through that I've learned a lot about the skills that that work requires. I try to bring that practical sense to my teaching, emphasizing the things that I think are the most useful. At the same time, the music has to be funand it's important for students to lean into their strengths as much as they address their weaknesses. So it's a constant balancing act.