Welcome to my teaching page! I teach cello at my private studio in Jamaica Plain as well as UMass Lowell and Project Step. Read bellow for more information or contact me to set up a trial lesson. I accept students of all ages and levels.

"I have had many music lessons where a teacher has tried to get me to improve by making me feel guilty for my meagre efforts. Not so with Aristides. His method involved infinite patience, discipline, love, humour and understanding....a far more effective method. " Kerry Wells, Melbourne, Australia (59 years of age)

Teaching Philosophy

Rivas sees teaching as a fulfilling responsibility that we all have, to share our knowledge and experience with the new generations. However, to play an instrument is an art that requires a lot of dedication and a set of values that not everyone is willing to learn or to put in use. In his teaching, Rivas encourages daily life values, such as discipline, self-confidence, respect, the balance between quality and quantity, and the importance of working with parents as a team to give the best support in a child’s music education. Also, Rivas emphasizes and encourages the importance of proper technique and setup as one of the most important basis for a long, bright, and healthy future as a cellist. Basic music theory and sight-reading are also important elements that Rivas discusses with his students as the key to learning music. In addition, Rivas sees beyond his practice as a cello teacher by providing information about programs such as youth orchestras and chamber music in the area to further his students’ musical training.

Rivas’ teaching experience

Rivas is currently the Cello Professor at UMass Lowell and Project STEP in Symphony Hall. Other recent positions include the Ensemble Director at Waldorf School in Belmont, Coach for the New England Conservatory’s graduate students Philharmonia Orchestra and the Youth Philharmonic Orchestra at the Preparatory School. Rivas also gives master classes and workshops abroad, most recently in Panama, Venezuela, and Spain. Rivas is also a founding member and faculty of MESDA, a consulting organization that helps music programs around the globe to develop with teacher-training seminars and working with their students. Also, Rivas is the Orchestral Director at the Everett Music Center in Everett, MA, a program that offers after-school music education for the community of Everett and its neighbors.

About the lessons

The lessons will be organized to work on Technique, Theory/Sight-reading, and Repertoire. Each one is as important as the other and there will be homework designed to develop each one of these subjects.

Every person is different and so is his/her learning process. The good news is that every day there is more and more technology available to accommodate slight differences and preferences. Some of the features that Rivas offers are the use of video and/or audio recording of the lessons. At the same time, the use of free sharing websites such as YouTube and SoundCloud can be a wonderful tool for students and parents to have access to a past lesson to help achieve a successful practice session at home.

The other part that is crucial to playing an instrument is performing in public. Rivas brings his extensive experience as a world performer and shares with his students techniques about preparation, memorization, focusing and controlling nerves, expressivity, communicating with your audience, and many other elements that are essential to perform in public. As part of the private cello lessons, Rivas organizes a student recital in mid December, before the winter break, and another one at the end of the spring. During the months preceding the recital, the students will have a goal to achieve, and the recital will be a great time to share and celebrate with family the results of hard work in a friendly environment.

If you are interested in taking cello lessons with Mr. Rivas, please download the Student Registration Form on your right and submit it for schedule availability. A free 30-minute trial lesson can be arranged with no compromise.

If you have any question, Rivas can be contacted at aristides.rivas@gmail.com , or at 617-435-7617.