Heather Rivas

Heather Rivas is a pianist/keyboardist based in Los Angeles. She is a graduate of Berklee College of Music where she studied with Terri Lynn Carrington, JoAnne Brackeen, Kevin Harris, and Tim Ray. In her last year at Berklee, Heather was awarded the Piano Department Chair Award for her accomplishments in the program. 

Heather has also toured and performed with numerous artists. At just the age of 17 she toured with jazz trumpeter Ingrid Jensen through the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz. Additionally, Heather has played piano and percussion in the 2014 Disneyland All American College Band, and has performed with highly acclaimed trumpeter Wayne Bergeron, and world-renowned bassist John Clayton. She had the opportunity to work closely and record with award winning Latin Grammy record producer Javier Limón and artist Tonina for her debut album “Black Angels” which ended up on Barack Obama’s Favorite Songs of 2018 list. She has become a world traveler and has toured and recorded with various pop artists such as Jacob Banks, Tonina, Emily Kinney and LoveLeo in the U.S. and Europe. Heather has also become a Nord Endorsed Artist.

In addition to performing, Heather has been involved in music education for years. As a graduate TA at CalArts she taught jazz piano lessons and was involved in outreach through the Community Arts Partnership program, teaching music theory to the youth in the LA area. She has also taught students of all ages at SoCal Piano Academy. Recently, she was brought on as a Stanford Jazz Mentor Fellow to teach and mentor students at the Stanford Jazz Workshop. Here she was able to learn and teach alongside jazz greats such as Joshua Redman, Roy McCurdy, and many more. 

I like to adjust my teaching style to the needs and goals of my students. If you're looking to get more in depth with jazz, improvisation, theory and or pop piano, I provide a focus in these areas. I can also assist in audition prep for jazz schools. Whether you're hoping to start your own band, audition for a college jazz program, or just learn more about harmony and theory concepts, I would love to work with you. Beginners are also welcome!