Denise Rivera

Denise Rivera - Vocal and Piano Instructor

Denise Rivera holds a Masters in Music from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities (UMN), where she studied with Glenda Maurice. She was accepted into the doctoral program at UMN, and performed frequently as a member of the Rochester Aria Group, based in Rochester, MN, under the direction of George Smith of Minnesota Opera. She has worked as an office assistant for Grammy-winning composer, Libby Larsen, and currently performs in La Crosse as a cantor and member of the Cathedral of St. Joseph the Workman’s Gallery Singers under the direction of Dr. Brian Luckner.
She has held professional positions as a guest soloist, voice teacher, stage manager, co-producer, beginning piano teacher, chorus member, and teaching assistant, and Mrs. Rivera continues to study voice with Dan Johnson-Wilmot of Viterbo University as primary mentor. She has studied with other well-known artists and educators to include: Eva de la O (New York), Dr. Robert McIver (Eastman School of Music), and Jean Saladino (Viterbo University).
In addition to her extensive vocal experience, Mrs. Rivera teaches beginning piano students and also fulfilled the coursework for a K-12 music educator’s license. She studied the piano throughout her life, including four years with Reed Music Studios co-owner and founder, David Reedy. Through her experiences observing and teaching in the classroom, Denise discovered her ability to reach out and connect with young musicians in a meaningful way and on an individual basis. She currently serves on the Composer Diversity Project’s advisory council and is a member of the Music Teachers National Association, Wisconsin Music Teachers Association and La Crosse Area Music Teachers Association. Mrs. Rivera lives in La Crosse, WI, with her husband and two
sons.
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