Steve Rivero

Stephen K. Rivero is a distinguished conductor, music educator, adjudicator, and clinician who

currently serves as Artistic Director of the Miami Wind Symphony and Director of Bands at Miami

Arts Studio 6-12 @ Zelda Glazer.
 

A Miami native and honor graduate of the University of Miami, Mr. Rivero’s career in music

education spans more than 30 years and includes leadership positions at Fort Lauderdale High School,

Hialeah High School, Charles W. Flanagan High School, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School,

and Miami Arts Studio.
 

His ensembles have consistently earned superior ratings and national recognition, including Bands of

America Regional Finalist honors, WGI Winds and Percussion Finalist honors, FMBC State

Championships, the Grand National Adjudicators Invitational Champion Award, and recognition as a

Mark of Excellence National Winner. Under his direction, ensembles have performed at the FMEA

President’s Concert, the London New Year’s Day Parade, and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Throughout his career, Mr. Rivero has also hosted and worked closely with distinguished composers in

residence, including James Woodward, David Maslanka, John Mackey, and Frank Ticheli.
 

A highly decorated retired Chief Warrant Officer 4, Mr. Rivero served for 38 years in the Florida

Army National Guard. He enlisted as a trombonist in 1985, later serving as the Enlisted Band Leader

and Conductor before assuming command of the 13th Army Band in 2010. In addition to leading his

own ensemble, he was selected to assist Army bands through Technical Assistance Visits, working

closely with commanders on conducting, musical leadership, and the broader responsibilities of

leading and operating an Army band. His leadership responsibilities extended to major state and

humanitarian missions, including extended activations following Hurricanes Andrew and Wilma and

18 months of COVID-19 operations in South Florida, during which he commanded band personnel and

other soldiers. He mentored National Guard and active-duty band commanders, prepared newly

appointed warrant officers for required conducting evaluations, and presented clinics at Army Band

Leaders Training workshops. His military conducting assignments included leading an honor band in

Guam as part of the Tumon Bay Music Festival. Throughout the final decade of his service, he became

a trusted mentor to Army band leaders across the country.
 

Mr. Rivero is a co-founder of the Maestros Conducting Workshop and has served as a guest conductor,

clinician, and adjudicator for All-State, Honor Band, marching band, and festival ensembles and events

across the country. He is a member of Phi Beta Mu, the International Bandmasters Fraternity, and his

honors include the Florida Bandmasters Association Oliver Hobbs Award, two National Band

Association Citations of Excellence, and the Broward County Arts Teacher of the Year Award.