Ricciardi began to study the cello at the age of six with Nevio Zanardi in Italy. He studied at the Nicolo Paganini Conservatory in Genoa under Nevio Zanardi, where he attained the highest grades. When Ricciardi was twenty years old, his mentor introduced him to Michael Flaksman. Ricciardi has appeared with many of the major orchestras of South America, Europe and Asia, and worked with the most distinguished conductors.