Overview
M. Evan Ricker Jr. is a music educator, conductor and arts administrator based in Wichita, Kansas. He serves as a recruitment and communications specialist for Wichita State University’s College of Fine Arts, supporting student recruitment, prospective student engagement and communications across its four schools.
Ricker holds a Bachelor of Music in music journalism and wind conducting and a Master of Music in orchestral conducting from Wichita State, where he studied with Victor Markovich and Mark Laycock. He earned a doctorate in curriculum and instruction with a cognate in music from Kansas State University. His dissertation examined the workplace dignity experiences of LGBTQ+ college wind band conductors.
As director of instrumental music at Cowley College, Ricker led the concert band and Tiger Beat pep band, taught music appreciation, organized regional and state festivals and developed ensemble scholarships to help students offset educational costs. Previously, he taught music appreciation and public speaking at Butler Community College and served on marching band staffs across Kansas.
Ricker has conducted wind bands, orchestras, athletic bands, chamber groups and marching ensembles. His appointments include conducting assistant at Wichita State, graduate teaching assistant for the Kansas State University Bands and assistant conductor for both universities’ symphony orchestras. He continues to serve as a clinician and adjudicator across the region.
His research and professional interests include dignity in leadership and organizational culture, identity-informed professional experiences, student recruitment and retention, conducting pedagogy and music appreciation instruction. His work emphasizes individual dignity, belonging and helping students navigate their educational experiences.
Bachelor of Music in music journalism & wind conducting - Wichita State U.
Master of Music in orchestral conducting - Wichita State University
Doctor of Philosophy in curriculum and instruction (music) - Kansas State U.