El Rich works at the intersections of musical genres. With a mixed background as both a guitarist/songwriter and composer/arranger, El combines the sounds and idioms of Folk and Popular music with Classical and Crossover ensembles.
El’s compositions have received performances at the American Dance Festival, World Saxophone Congress, North American Saxophone Alliance Biennial and Regional Conferences, Society of Composers National and Regional Conferences, and many other festivals and events.
As a guitarist and songwriter, El draws inspiration from across the varied genres of American, British, and Celtic folk and popular traditions. El is guitarist, mandolinist, and songwriter for progressive folk band Winterbirds.
El received a Master of Music degree from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, and the Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.