Since that time she has attended numerous workshops about the Piano Basics method of teaching across the United States, Europe, and Japan.  She studied Piano Basics with Dr. Haruko Kataoka for many years until Dr. Kataoka’s death in 2003.

Rita has traveled to Japan every eighteen months since 1997 to continue study in Piano Basics.  Several of her students continue to accompany her and perform in Japan’s Ten Piano Concerts held in Matsumoto, Japan.  She assists in the Ten Piano Concerts produced in Sacramento, CA.

She is a past president of SMAC - Sierra Branch and currently teaches in her studio in Carmichael, CA.  She is married with two adult children and two grandchildren.