Jose Rivera earned his Bachelor of Music Education from Sam Houston State University, studying viola with Dr. Nina Bledsoe Knight and Dr. Tonya Burton, and conducting with Dr. Kayoko Dan and Professor Darla McBryde. 

Mr. Rivera earned his Master of Music in Instrumental Conducting from Texas State University under Dr. Jacob Harrison. While there, he worked with the TXST Symphony Orchestra, TXST Camerata Campus Orchestra, opera, and chamber groups. He also performed in the Graduate String Quartet and assisted with conducting classes and concerts, as well as School of Music events.

Mr. Rivera provides clinics and adjudication for schools across the Houston area and throughout Texas. He has been invited to conduct at summer music camps across Central Texas and the Greater Houston area, and has performed as a violist with the Woodlands Symphony, Conroe Symphony, and Symphony of North Houston. He is also a member of the Texas Music Educators Association and the Texas Orchestra Directors Association. 

Outside of teaching, Mr. Rivera enjoys building Legos, discovering new coffee shops, and going to concerts.