Dr. Richard A. Fields is an educator, researcher, and performer committed to advancing equity and representation in music education. He serves as Assistant Professor of Music Education at Queens College, City University of New York, and as an Applied Instrumental Instructor at Teachers College, Columbia University, where he earned his Ed.D. in Music and Music Education. His doctoral research, An Exploration of the Experiences of Black Male Wind Musicians in Classical Music Education, foregrounds issues of race, identity, and access in instrumental music, drawing on frameworks of Critical Race Theory and Community Cultural Wealth.

In addition to his academic work, Dr. Fields is the founder and CEO of the Parallel Brass Quintet, an ensemble devoted to performance, educational outreach, and the diversification of chamber music spaces. His teaching philosophy emphasizes culturally responsive pedagogy, teacher identity, and inclusive ensemble practices that bridge scholarship and practice. He has developed professional development series, intensives, and workshops for educators and students, and his work reflects a deep commitment to fostering unity through music.

Through his combined roles as scholar, performer, and advocate, Dr. Fields seeks to create spaces in music education where underrepresented voices are amplified and where music serves as a bridge for social change.