Rikki was born in Springfield Ma. She studied percussion at Springfield Conservatory of Music for 9 years before attending Berklee College of Music, where she majored in Arranging and Jazz Composition. Upon completeing her studies at Berklee she began her career as a drummer. Rikki moved to Cape Cod in 1978, and has since been a member of several popular local bands. 

In 2013, Rikki, represented by lawyers at GLAD (GLBTQ Legal Advocates and Defenders), successfully challenged MassHealth (Medicaid) for denial of coverage for her transition-related care. She was awaiting the outcome her case when the state announced that it would remove barriers to health care coverage for all transgender people in Massachusetts, in both private insurance and in public programs.

In 2015 Rikki became a member of First Parish Brewster, and in 2022 she joined staff as Audio/Video Tech Support.