Technical Sgt. Luis Rivera is a percussionist with the Ceremonial Brass, The United States Air Force Band, Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington, D.C. Originally from Winter Park, FL, his career in the Air Force began in 2021.
Sgt. Rivera holds degrees from Florida State University (Doctor of Music in percussion performance), University of South Carolina (Master of Music in percussion performance), and University of Central Florida (Bachelor of Music Education). During his collegiate studies Sgt. Rivera was a recipient of the McKnight Doctoral Fellowship while at FSU, a winner of the USC Concerto Competition in 2008, and a Presser Foundation Scholar while at UCF. Sgt. Rivera was also a snare drummer with the Magic of Orlando(2002-2003) and Madison Scouts (2004) Drum and Bugle Corps. His former teachers include Dr. John Parks, Dr. Scott Herring, Jim Hall, Kirk Gay, Jeff Moore, John Campese, and Colin Mcnutt.
Prior to joining the Air Force, Sgt. Rivera served as assistant professor of percussion at Oklahoma City University and the University of South Alabama. He was principal percussion of the Gulf Coast and Meridian Symphony Orchestras, and performed with the Mobile, Pensacola, Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestras, and Sinfonia Gulf Coast. Sgt. Rivera has been a percussion adjudicator, clinician, research scholar, published composer/arranger, and featured performer on various studio albums. He continues to be an active pedagogue in the percussion community, including Drum Corps International and the Percussive Arts Society.