About
Devoted to Artistic Excellence
Primary focus in areas of composition, music theory and analysis, with particular interest in violin and classical guitar, as well as piano, and orchestral string instruments. Formed numerous musical bands; 4 national tours throughout the U.S. with corresponding TV appearances. Written critically acclaimed theatrical sound tracks for professional theater productions. Received positive reviews in newspaper articles, magazines and other publications in reference to creative collaborations. Composed original music for violin & piano, and string ensembles, which premiered in St. Paul, MN, and New York, NY
Develop your musical potential!
Learn from a full time devoted musician and educator! I've been teaching music since 1996, and with my experience and your conscientious efforts I can help you reach your goals as a music student. Whether you want to get ready for a school audition, get better faster, or if you always wanted to play an instrument for fun. My style of teaching is well founded and versatile.
Applying creativity in service of education
If you're a school orchestra or band director, and would like fresh new music tailored just for your ensemble you can have your school commission a work from me or soon you can find it at www.jwpepper.com (to be announced). I'm customizing each work to fit various ability levels while writing melodious and fun themes that your students will enjoy.
Soon I will post video and audio demonstrations of my works.
Thanks for your patience as this is a brand new website.
Background
39 years of combined musical training and experience!
My musical education has been: independent, varied, and uninterrupted. Consisting for the most part of one on one instruction with exceptional teachers. Such an arrangement allowed me enough time to get involved in professional music experiences in the real world. While still giving me time to refine my knowledge and technique.
Highlights:
-CTE teaching credential.
-Composing music for student orchestras.
-Toured the U.S. several times as a professional musician.
-Experience teaching all ages and learning styles.
-Have worked as a full time musician since 1996.
-Fully bilingual in Spanish.
-Playing and teaching an array of string instruments with focus on orchestral strings.
-My main area of focus in education is to help young string players advance and thrive as accomplished students in their school based music programs and ensembles.
-My services are non-discriminatory and non-religious.
Resume
1982- Began learning the piano at age 8.
1987- Started playing the guitar at age 13.
1988- Began a one semester attendance at the Academy of the Musicians Union in Mexico City. Also began receiving classical guitar private lessons from classical concert artist “Maestro” C. Morales, a graduate from the National Conservatory of Mexico City.
1999- Formed a Rock Fusion Band called “Nova” accomplishing radio play in Mexico City and a fan base in about a year and a half.
1991- Moved to the U.S. And started a Rock Band called “The End”.
1992- Started attending the local “Ventura College” receiving instruction from: Frank Salazar: Music theory, music History. Carlos Gonzalez: Classical guitar. Robert Lawson: Composition, orchestration and musical analysis. Don Jackson: Piano Burns Taft: Music theory, orchestral performance and counterpoint. Lee Porter: Voice. Kristen Fife: Violin. Amy H. Marx: Violin. Also, During that summer a Newspaper Article was published about the band “The End” when performing for an anti-drug festival to promote D.A.R.E.
1993- Went on a summer tour across U.S. with Latin Pop Band “Pasteles Verdes” as a bass player.
1995- Attended a summer course called “Bravo!” at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, devoted to the most accomplished students in the U.S. and abroad. Also one of my compositions for violin and piano called “Opulenta Obsesion” was successfully premiered in Minneapolis by violinist Eric Carlson.
1996- Started receiving private instruction by Henry Schwab; a graduate of the “Ecole Nomale du Musique” in Paris, France, and the Academy of Music in Vienna, Austria. And who also performed with the Paris and Vienna Philharmonics. And continued study with him until 2006.
1997- Began further private study on Composition from Bernardo Feldman a Graduate from the National Conservatory in Mexico City, and U.S.C. Also started the Rivera-Sunnarborg Duo, with Steve Sunnarborg on Guitar.
1999- Toured the U.S. with acclaimed Latin Pop Band “Los Fugitivos” being televised on several occasions. And a newspaper article was published about the “Rivera-Sunnarborg Duo” on the “Ventura County Star”
2000- With collaboration of guitar player Steve Sunnarborg Composed and performed the soundtrack for the professional theater production “Romeo and Juliet” as produced by the “Rubicon” theater company. A full page article was published about the duo’s contribution on the “Ventura County Star”
2001- The Rivera-Sunnarborg Duo composes another soundtrack for the theatrical version of “Murder in the First” produced by the “Rubicon” theater co.
2002- Recorded the violin parts for the play: “The Glass Menagerie”, another “Rubicon” theater production.
2003- The Rivera-Sunnarborg Duo create the music for the play “Driving Miss Daisy”, as produced by the “Rubicon” and it is still being performed seasonally in Canada by the “Manitoba” theater Company.
2004- The Rivera-Sunnarborg Duo contributed the music for the play “The Night of the Iguana” by the “Rubicon” theater company.
2006- Founded the new recording studio as the basis of operation for “Hekar Rivera Music Productions”. And toured with the latin band “Exiliado”.
2007- Started collaboration with numerous emerging bands and song-writers. Producing, composing, and recording a multitude of musical productions, in a wide variety of genres, instruments, and ensembles.
2008- Began assisting the pubic school system at Mesa School, collaborating with Dr. John Puglisi, Super-intendent. Teaching elementary school students about multimedia creative work, using Apple computers. Also training teachers on the use and application of such technology on creative school projects.
2009- Began teaching GATE students how to use Apple computers and Photo/Video equipment to produce student films with student created scripts, claymation, and soundtrack integration and video editing.
2010- Taught an after school creative project at Mesa School, with advanced piano students from 9th through 12th grade, that focused on music composition using Apple laptop computers. Also volunteered to perform violin as a classroom demonstration for 5th grade students at Laguna Vista Elementary school.
2011 to 2013- Produced a high volume of recordings, with diverse artists ranging from song-writers, bands, and composers. Specializing in using british style microphone placement, “wall of sound” mixing, and mastering for publication on vinyl format.
2014- Established a music lessons studio in Ventura California, teaching violin, guitar, piano, viola, upright bass, note reading, music theory, and a variety of other string instruments.
2016- Began teaching at Rio School District, Oxnard CA as a resident artist. Bringing music to the classroom with orchestral strings to elementary and middle schools.
2017 through 20- Creating and running music programs at 3 different elementary schools. Rio Del Norte, Rio Rosales & Rio Del Mar & Rio Vista. Introducing children to orchestral string instruments, with emphasis on violin.
2020- Recipient of the CTE teaching credential.
2021- Published two compositions for student string orchestra at JWPepper: "With The Wind In Our Sails" and "Clouds"
2021- Opened a second teaching studio in Westlake, CA. Now serving the Thousand Oaks, Newbury Park, Westlake, and Agoura communities.
2022- Implementing a string orchestra program at Conejo Valley Unified School District.