In honor of the memory and teaching legacy of beloved Lexington Community Education (LCE) music instructor Robert Rivera, a scholarship of $500 per semester will be awarded to one Lexington Public School student taking private music lessons through the LCE Individualized Music Lesson Program. Qualified applicants will describe or demonstrate an interest and intention in the practice and performance of music beyond that of a passing hobby. Further, they will display a desire, express strong interest, and find fulfillment in musical performance opportunities at higher levels and across the span of the life-long learning journey.
Awards will be announced in August for the Fall semester, and in December for the combined Winter/Spring semester.
To Apply:
Please submit an essay on what the playing and study of music means to you (500 words maximum). Include the instrument or instruments you play and how the Robert Rivera Memorial Scholarship would help you achieve your musical goals. If parents are applying on behalf of a younger student, please write to explain the reason or need for the scholarship.
Deadline for Applications:
August 1 for the Fall semester
December 1 for the Winter/Spring semester
About Robert Rivera:
Originally from New York City, Robert Rivera was a gifted classical cellist and composer, who started studying cello at the age of seven. He held a diploma from the Mannes School of Music, a Bachelor of Music in Performance Cello from the Manhattan School of Music, and a Certificate of Performance from the Moscow Conservatory.
Music was Robert’s life. His art was not limited to the cello; he was also a phenomenal electric bassist. He was equally comfortable playing rock, metal, and jazz on both instruments. His talent was incredible. He aspired to write and play music, but one of his great gifts was also being a teacher. He taught cello, bass, and ukulele to students ages 4 to 65, and had an excellent rapport with students and their families. Parents appreciated Rob’s teaching style as he taught their children life lessons and social responsibility in addition to music. His students loved him because he made lessons fun and taught with much love and compassion.
Robert passed away unexpectedly on January 21, 2023 from kidney disease at age 57. Despite being on dialysis for 16 years, he dedicated himself to his instrument and his craft and never gave up, even when his health challenges made it difficult. Rob’s life was an example of what you can accomplish musically with practice, hard work, dedication, and love. His legacy will live on through the music and our scholarship recipients who have the same perseverance and passion to learn and excel in their instrument(s) as he did.