Richard Jennings has been actively composing music since his first song at age sixteen. After a successful career as a singer-songwriter in the late 60’s and early 70’s, he went back to school on full scholarship. Composing in an early Moog studio at Michigan State University, Jennings became quite active in the New Music/Avant Garde scene, conducting vocal and instrumental groups. At the University of Michigan for graduate work, Jennings studied composition and voice with Pulitzer Prize winners and international opera stars.

After grad school, Jennings received a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Michigan Council for the Arts to be “Composer in Residence” for a school district in Dearborn, Michigan. His two chamber “space operas” from this period were performed in planetariums, art museums and lofts to critical acclaim.

In the 80’s, Richard Jennings moved to San Diego, and then Los Angeles. He began composing for theatre, television and film. He worked with the top professional theatres in Southern California. During this period, Jennings work was showcased in feature stories in The Los Angeles Times. He received one of the west coast’s highest honors, The Dramalogue Critics Award for “Outstanding Achievement in Theatre”.  He was also active composing for television movies, Disney and others.

The 90’s found Jennings settling into the life of a music professor. He served on the faculties of University of San Diego and San Diego State University. Following his wife to Phoenix, he was the director of the Electronic Music Program at Scottsdale Community College. Jennings also composed scores for PBS documentaries and commercial films.

Since 2000, Jennings has been the resident composer for the critically acclaimed Southwest Shakespeare Company in the Phoenix area, composing scores for more than twenty productions thus far. Having moved to Berkeley in 2002 Jennings continues to compose for films and theatrical productions. His original musical plays are gaining recognition in the Bay Area and beyond.