About Barbara (Barbi) Irizarry-Rivera
My name is Barbara (Barbi) Irizarry-Rivera and I have a degree from Florida Atlantic University in Commercial Music Business and have been teaching vocals and keys for 3 years now. I first started singing in school when I was in Elementary School learning through music class and soon through chorus. I was always looking for ways to be involved and stay after school to hang out with my friends and music teachers.
When I was 12 years old I wrote my first song and it’s been my passion ever since! I had the amazing opportunity to attend High School of the Arts named “Alexander W Dreyfoos” in SFL and that’s when I really decided I wanted to do music full time. I started involving myself more and more into the music curriculum classically through choir, masterclasses, jazz combos, music composition, music theory and every opportunity I could get. Clearly it was what I was made for as I continued my studies in college.
My most favorite thing about being a music teacher is sharing the love for music with others. Getting the opportunity to not only introduce others to new musical genres but seeing students grow overtime and expanding their knowledge over various vocal techniques. Growth is just one of the most rewarding things to see as a mentor and seeing others discover themselves through music whether it’s what they want to pursue or just a hobby.
Growing up I listened to a lot of different singers such as Cher, Fleetwood Mac, Billie Eilish, Demi Lovato, Lady Gaga and so many more. Seeing how so incredibly different they were from one another really made me want to find my voice! Another one of my biggest influences to this day has to be Harry Styles. All 3 of his albums that have been put out within the last few years have been so impactful to me and I admire his more groovy pop-rock approach to the genre.
