Marcia Ann Richardson, 64, passed away on December 21, 2020. She began her musical journey with piano lessons at the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music at the age of three. She moved with her family to Arizona in 1968. She studied piano at ASU during her elementary and high school years. She enrolled in the inaugural year of ASU’s accompanying undergraduate program. Her love of opera blossomed, as did her performance and coaching skills. She graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Accompanying and Chamber Music.



Marcia returned to Cincinnati and received a Master of Music degree from the University of Cincinnati. She also did post-graduate work at the Franz Schubert Institute of Musical Studies (Graz, Austria). She had an extensive musical career as a conductor, pianist, and coach. Among the many stars of the classical and popular musical world, she accompanied fine artists such as the world-renowned violinist Eugene Fodor and international star of stage and screen, Theodore Bikel.



She served as staff accompanist at ASU as well as Musical Director of Valley Youth Theater in Phoenix. She worked with the Cincinnati Opera, Opera Omaha, Central City Opera, Arizona Opera, Mississippi Opera, and Pittsburgh Opera, among other organizations, and had performed with St. Luke's Chamber Orchestra, Il Piccolo Teatro dell'Opera and Bel Canto Opera in New York.

While studying for her Master's degree at the University of Cincinnati, she was involved with ECCO, their lyric opera group, which guest performed on the Delta Queen Steamboat. In a career shift, she began as a guest solo pianist in 1988, cruising the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers, which expanded into being a full time performer, including playing the calliope in and out of port. She moved to New Orleans, where the company was headquartered. Her love of history and the Southern U.S. served her well in her expanded role as Riverlorian, and ultimately, Shore Tour Manager.



Hurricane Katrina dramatically impacted her life and her career. Just ahead of the storm's landfall, she was assigned to the American Queen and headed up river to dock in Memphis, where she found her new home. With Opera Memphis, she was engaged in the preparation of main season productions as well as educational outreach. At the University of Memphis she was principal coach/pianist for the Opera Studies Department and coordinator of Music Facilities Scheduling. She served as coach-accompanist for various performing artists since her arrival in Memphis and worked actively in the Catholic Diocese of Memphis and her own parish of St. Mary's.



She was very active in the music ministry of her church, and served as President of the Women's League and Director of Religious Education. Most recently, she developed the PRE program, sharing the gospel with the parish children, at their own level. A proud member of Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity, she served on its National Executive Board as National Vice President of Extension and President of the Memphis Alumni Chapter.



Marcia is survived by her mother, a sister, a brother and niece. She is predeceased by her father. A Funeral Mass was held on January 21, 2021, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 155 Market Avenue Memphis, TN 38105 (Source: ASU Foundation)