featured artist

The Whitewater Valley Arts Fusion Featured Artist is Joe Hickey from the Richmond Symphony Orchestra.

Married to Kelley (violist) for twenty years. Their first date was a dress rehearsal for Whitewater Opera in 1982.
Has traveled twice to Australia with the family on tour with Cincinnati Junior Strings (two daughters were members). While there, he hand-fed a kangaroo, and met Richard Miller, the timpanist for the Sydney Symphony, (who had a good story about Michael Gielen).
Three daughters, Monica (18), Molly (15) & Maureen (10) all violinists. Two eldests are in Cincinnati Symphony Youth Orchestra.
Played the gong note at the end of "Nights in White Satin" with the Moody Blues at Riverbend--TWICE!
Played in Richmond Symphony Orchestra (RSO) under Manfred Blum, Thomas Elefant and Guy Bordo
Teacher is RSO Principal Percussion Emeritus Dr. William Albin
Joe is a Chemical Plant manager by day for USALCO
He used to haul liquid chemicals in a semi tank truck; his CB handle is "Sloppy Joe"
Made his debut on typewriter in 2007 with RSO. (Never too late to learn a new percussion instrument!)
He had a red afro in high school (Talawanda HS, Oxford, Ohio).
Was principal tympanist 12 seasons with Whitewater Opera under Charles Combopiano
He is a contemporary Christian rock drummer on Sundays