Rick Edinger

Rick Edinger serves as Area Chair of Acting & Music Theater and Associate Professor of Music Theater at Carnegie Mellon University's School of Drama, supervising a program with 96 students, 20 faculty members, and administrative staff. He teaches Music Theater Auditioning and Cabaret courses, acts as vocal coach for senior Music Theater students, and directs the New York & Los Angeles Showcases and spring main stage musical productions.

His educational background includes training at:

• Manhattan School of Music
• Cleveland Institute of Music
• Brooklyn College
• Hunter College

As a queer AAPI educator, Edinger's professional focus centers on Music Theater performance practices, Vocal Coaching methodologies, and Musical Direction techniques, with significant contributions to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Theater. He actively serves on the College of Fine Arts Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council, integrating social justice principles into theater education and production.

Edinger mentors Music Theater students through vocal coaching and audition preparation while maintaining an active professional profile in New York theater. His current projects include high-profile productions like "The Untitled Unauthorized Hunter S. Thompson Musical" and "Trading Places", demonstrating the synergy between his academic work and professional practice.

He contributes to the theater field through board memberships with The National Alliance for Musical Theatre and Theatre Gap Initiative, supporting new musical development and equity initiatives in the industry.