Best Music Publications is Brian Rivers.
Brian Rivers is an award-winning performer, music educator and author. Brian is a graduate of the prestigious University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, where he earned his Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education with a Jazz Specialization. Brian is passionate about bridging the worlds of formally trained music educators and contemporary music students through his publications and professional development workshops. Brian is committed to expanding access and diversity in music education.
Brian’s pioneering classroom guitar program at the Natomas Performing and Fine Arts Academy was recognized with a JAMMIE award for superior musical achievement. At one point, 25% of the student body at the Academy were enrolled into one of his guitar classes! Aside from being a natural in front of the classroom, Brian is renowned for his soulful approach to playing the guitar across a wide range of musical styles. Brian’s performances have a strong regional following, in addition to having national exposure, including CBS This Morning, Car Talk (PBS), Northern Exposure (CBS), Kerrville Folk Festival, and dozens of Americana Radio Stations. Brian has an extensive discography.
Professional Certifications, Awards and Grants
Professional Memberships
National Association for Music Education (NAfME)
Ohio Music Education Association (OMEA)
Association of Popular Music Education (APME)
Technology in Music Education (TI:ME)
Music Teachers National Association (MTNA)
Select Lectures and Professional Development Workshops
Every Music Educator Can be a Great Guitar Teacher
Ohio Music Educators Association (January 2020)
New Mexico Music Educators Association (January 2020)
Texas Music Educators Association (February 2020)
Demystifying the Guitar – Activities to expand and diversify your guitar classes
Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (March 2020)
New Mexico Music Educators Association (January 2020)
Songwriting for the Classroom Music Educator
University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music (2019)
University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music (2014)
Teaching Guitar in the Classroom
University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music (2013)
Owner – Best Music Publications
At Best Music Publications we are dedicated to providing high quality music method curricula. Our ‘craft’ publications bridge the worlds of formally trained music educators and contemporary music students to far greater degree than the cookie-cutter method books marketed by commercial music publishers. Our publications include The Best Guitar Methodand The Best Guitar Toolkit.
Owner – Rivers Music
Rivers Music is Brian’s private lesson studio in Cincinnati, Ohio. Rivers Music offers expert music instruction with a positive and encouraging approach. Lessons are available in person or online. Brian is committed to whole-person educational approaches and student-centered success.
Professional Performing Guitarist
Rock • Pop • Jazz • Blues • Soul • Country • Folk • Reggae • African • Latin • Musicals
Festival Performances (partial listing):
Vancouver Island Folk Festival
New Orleans by the Bay Festival
Reno Jazz Festival
Sonoma Jazz Festival
Sacramento Jazz and Heritage Festival
Grass Valley World Music Festival
Sacramento Traditional Jazz Jubilee
Kerrville Folk Festival
Northern Rockies Folk Festival
Napa Jazz Festival
Sacramento Blues Festival
San Jose Blues Festival
Chico World Music Festival
Napa World Music Festival
Reggae on the River Music Festival
Strawberry Music Festival
Truckee Reggae and World Music Festival
Bunbury Music Festival
Napa Valley Cajun Festival
High Sierra Music Festival
Grass Valley Folk Festival
Brian's Story...
My earliest memories are singing. I remember being attracted to music. After my mother passed away when I was ten years old, a young college student who I only know as "Joy" gave me a guitar. I didn't ask for it, it just arrived. I didn't choose it; it chose me. Ever since then, the guitar has been my companion through the ups and downs of life.
Fast forward, I am now a successful guitarist, music educator, method book author, and music clinician.
I have spent a lifetime pursuing excellence driven by a passion for bringing the guitar into the mainstream of music education. My experiences in high school music programs where I wanted to be part of the "music program" inspired my passion for bringing the guitar into the mainstream of music education. My high school music teachers accepted me, but they didn't have much to offer me in terms of instruction on my instrument. Being unable to help me was no fault of their own; it was the result of their professional training, not including guitar instruction.
After a successful career as a touring and recording musician, I accepted a teaching position at the newly founded Natomas Performing and Fine Arts Academy in Sacramento, CA. On my first day in my new role as a "classroom music educator," I found myself in an empty room, with no formal training, a $150.00 start-up budget, and twenty or so students looking to me for a musical education. I explained to the students the absurdity of the situation while sitting on the floor, and I promised them I would give it my best shot, and I hoped they were up for the adventure. We sang, and played body percussion that first day. I encouraged them to bring any musical instruments; in fact, they could bring pots and pans to bang on for all I cared; something was better than nothing. After that, I spent the majority of my start-up budget on used chairs at the State of California surplus warehouse and spent the rest on a few Manhasset music stands.
Over the next ten years, I leveraged my passion, ability to improvise (both musically and as a creative teacher), and my experiences as a professional musician to develop an award-winning music education program at the Performing Arts School! I wrote grants for equipment and training, and I networked, I did what was needed to bring quality music education to my students. Be sure to my website, www.brianrivers.com and visit the "Videos and Recordings" page not so much to hear me, but to listen to my students, because that is the real measure of my success!
After teaching for ten years in the classroom, I found myself in Cincinnati, Ohio. I enrolled at College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati, and earned my degree in music education.
After graduation, I started work on writing The Best Guitar Method to bridge the worlds of the traditional music educator and professional guitarist. I knew that the current method books available didn't bridge these two worlds. Most method books were just the same poor material with a different cover, either starting with single note sight-reading on the E string or ignoring standard notation in favor of chords. No matter the approach, they only offered musical examples, none offered real instruction. Instruction is precisely what traditional music educators need because it is very likely that their professional training did not adequately prepare them to provide guitar instruction.
That's my story. The recurring themes are passion, creativity, commitment, and excellence in music education for all students.
Brian Rivers is an award-winning performer, music educator and author. Brian is a graduate of the prestigious University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, where he earned his Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education with a Jazz Specialization. Brian is passionate about bridging the worlds of formally trained music educators and contemporary music students through his publications and professional development workshops. Brian is committed to expanding access and diversity in music education.
Brian’s pioneering classroom guitar program at the Natomas Performing and Fine Arts Academy was recognized with a JAMMIE award for superior musical achievement. At one point, 25% of the student body at the Academy were enrolled into one of his guitar classes! Aside from being a natural in front of the classroom, Brian is renowned for his soulful approach to playing the guitar across a wide range of musical styles. Brian’s performances have a strong regional following, in addition to having national exposure, including CBS This Morning, Car Talk (PBS), Northern Exposure (CBS), Kerrville Folk Festival, and dozens of Americana Radio Stations. Brian has an extensive discography.
Professional Certifications, Awards and Grants
- Ohio K-12 Music Teaching Certificate (2013)
- California CBEST Certification (2002)
- Nationally Selected Participant - TI:ME Leadership Academy (2010)
- Faculty member, Natomas Performing and Fine Arts Academy (1997-2007)
- Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts “National School of Distinction” while arts faculty member at the Natomas Performing and Fine Arts Academy (2005)
- “Who's Who Among America's Teachers” (2000 and 2005)
- Sacramento News and Review Junior Music Awards “JAMMIES,” Program Director Award in Recognition of Superior Musical Achievement (2003)
- California Department of Education, California Art Works Grant (2003)
- California Governor’s Performance Award for a Student Ensemble (2001)
- California Department of Education, Educational Assessment Grant (1998)
- Sacramento Area Music Award “SAMMIES,” Hall of Fame (1995)
- Sacramento Area Music Award “SAMMIES,” Best World Music Band (1994)
- Sacramento Area Music Award “SAMMIES,” Best World Music Band (1993)
- Sacramento Area Music Award “SAMMIES,” Best World Music Band (1992)
- Performance selected for “Kerrville Folk Festival Highlights” album (1995)
- Performance selected for “The Women of Kerrville,” album (1996)
- Louis Armstrong National Jazz Award (1976)
Professional Memberships
National Association for Music Education (NAfME)
Ohio Music Education Association (OMEA)
Association of Popular Music Education (APME)
Technology in Music Education (TI:ME)
Music Teachers National Association (MTNA)
Select Lectures and Professional Development Workshops
Every Music Educator Can be a Great Guitar Teacher
Ohio Music Educators Association (January 2020)
New Mexico Music Educators Association (January 2020)
Texas Music Educators Association (February 2020)
Demystifying the Guitar – Activities to expand and diversify your guitar classes
Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (March 2020)
New Mexico Music Educators Association (January 2020)
Songwriting for the Classroom Music Educator
University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music (2019)
University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music (2014)
Teaching Guitar in the Classroom
University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music (2013)
Owner – Best Music Publications
At Best Music Publications we are dedicated to providing high quality music method curricula. Our ‘craft’ publications bridge the worlds of formally trained music educators and contemporary music students to far greater degree than the cookie-cutter method books marketed by commercial music publishers. Our publications include The Best Guitar Methodand The Best Guitar Toolkit.
Owner – Rivers Music
Rivers Music is Brian’s private lesson studio in Cincinnati, Ohio. Rivers Music offers expert music instruction with a positive and encouraging approach. Lessons are available in person or online. Brian is committed to whole-person educational approaches and student-centered success.
Professional Performing Guitarist
Rock • Pop • Jazz • Blues • Soul • Country • Folk • Reggae • African • Latin • Musicals
Festival Performances (partial listing):
Vancouver Island Folk Festival
New Orleans by the Bay Festival
Reno Jazz Festival
Sonoma Jazz Festival
Sacramento Jazz and Heritage Festival
Grass Valley World Music Festival
Sacramento Traditional Jazz Jubilee
Kerrville Folk Festival
Northern Rockies Folk Festival
Napa Jazz Festival
Sacramento Blues Festival
San Jose Blues Festival
Chico World Music Festival
Napa World Music Festival
Reggae on the River Music Festival
Strawberry Music Festival
Truckee Reggae and World Music Festival
Bunbury Music Festival
Napa Valley Cajun Festival
High Sierra Music Festival
Grass Valley Folk Festival
Brian's Story...
My earliest memories are singing. I remember being attracted to music. After my mother passed away when I was ten years old, a young college student who I only know as "Joy" gave me a guitar. I didn't ask for it, it just arrived. I didn't choose it; it chose me. Ever since then, the guitar has been my companion through the ups and downs of life.
Fast forward, I am now a successful guitarist, music educator, method book author, and music clinician.
I have spent a lifetime pursuing excellence driven by a passion for bringing the guitar into the mainstream of music education. My experiences in high school music programs where I wanted to be part of the "music program" inspired my passion for bringing the guitar into the mainstream of music education. My high school music teachers accepted me, but they didn't have much to offer me in terms of instruction on my instrument. Being unable to help me was no fault of their own; it was the result of their professional training, not including guitar instruction.
After a successful career as a touring and recording musician, I accepted a teaching position at the newly founded Natomas Performing and Fine Arts Academy in Sacramento, CA. On my first day in my new role as a "classroom music educator," I found myself in an empty room, with no formal training, a $150.00 start-up budget, and twenty or so students looking to me for a musical education. I explained to the students the absurdity of the situation while sitting on the floor, and I promised them I would give it my best shot, and I hoped they were up for the adventure. We sang, and played body percussion that first day. I encouraged them to bring any musical instruments; in fact, they could bring pots and pans to bang on for all I cared; something was better than nothing. After that, I spent the majority of my start-up budget on used chairs at the State of California surplus warehouse and spent the rest on a few Manhasset music stands.
Over the next ten years, I leveraged my passion, ability to improvise (both musically and as a creative teacher), and my experiences as a professional musician to develop an award-winning music education program at the Performing Arts School! I wrote grants for equipment and training, and I networked, I did what was needed to bring quality music education to my students. Be sure to my website, www.brianrivers.com and visit the "Videos and Recordings" page not so much to hear me, but to listen to my students, because that is the real measure of my success!
After teaching for ten years in the classroom, I found myself in Cincinnati, Ohio. I enrolled at College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati, and earned my degree in music education.
After graduation, I started work on writing The Best Guitar Method to bridge the worlds of the traditional music educator and professional guitarist. I knew that the current method books available didn't bridge these two worlds. Most method books were just the same poor material with a different cover, either starting with single note sight-reading on the E string or ignoring standard notation in favor of chords. No matter the approach, they only offered musical examples, none offered real instruction. Instruction is precisely what traditional music educators need because it is very likely that their professional training did not adequately prepare them to provide guitar instruction.
That's my story. The recurring themes are passion, creativity, commitment, and excellence in music education for all students.