Playground Productions Studio
About
Adam Riviere, world percussionist, audio engineer and composer boasts almost 30 years of
experience, 13 published albums and numerous collaborations. Riviere began playing the piano at the age of ten, which led to a love of percussion and throughout the years that followed, he studied more than 30 world instruments.
Riviere received his undergraduate degree in Music Business in 2000 from Butler University, and by 2003, he completed a graduate degree from the Indiana University-Purdue University School of Music in Music Technology. While at IUPUI, Riviere served as an Assistant Director to Johnny Lee Lane and tutor for the Indiana University Purdue University Urban Percussion Ensemble. 2009 to 2016 Riviere was hired as the pit/battery instructor for Monrovia Jr-Sr High School Bulldog Brigade in Indiana. Another educational and outreach program Riviere is involved in includes the Lotus Blossom Bazaar in Bloomington, IN where he educates elementary school children about world musical instruments, music, and culture.
His music sounds as unique as the instruments he plays. Styles he performs and infuses during his performances include Middle Eastern, African, Classical, Celtic, Electro-Acoustic, Latin/Afro-Cuban, Caribbean, Australian Aboriginal, Native American, and Electro Acoustic World Ambient Trance. Riviere's love for culture and music can be heard in his performances, displaying how different cultures and mediums of music can make one great sound.
Riviere is well-known in the local community, throughout the state and regionally, as well as internationally for participating in mind, body and soul healing practices such as Aura Cleansing and Chakra Balancing, providing live music for yoga classes, leading drum circles, participating in kirtans and conducting workshops for beginner, intermediate and expert stages of African drumming, Latin/Afro-Cuban drumming, Middle Eastern drumming, didgeridoo and Native American Style Flute.
Riviere has taken his sound to major cities across the United States, presented workshops at Dr Hoch in Frankfurt Germany, and has performed and taught throughout Israel where he had the opportunity to perform at the Jacob's Ladder Festival in May of 2014.
Riviere in the past has performed with world-renowned artists such as percussionist Badal Roy who performed and recorded with Miles Davis and flautist and saxophone player Steve Gorn who performed and recorded with Paul Simon. Other artists include Nelson Rios a percussionist who performed with Gloria Estefan and Santana, and alongside Rios Riviere has performed with multi Native American Award winning artist Steve Rushingwind & the Native Groove throughout the States and at the 2014 Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards in Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada.
Riviere owns and operates Playground Productions Studio in Historic Irvington located on the East Washington area of Indianapolis welcoming all involved in the arts to record, rehearse, and present their works to all, and celebrating what Riviere promotes; keeping the music going.
Adam Riviere is an endorsed artist of Tycoon Percussion and Soultone Cymbals, Drumz R Guru Ven Didgeridoos, Pearl Drums/Adams Percussion local artist, Vic Firth Education Team, , Gator Cases, Roc-N-Soc Thrones, Sontronics Microphones, Solomon Mics, and Power Beat Drum Heads.
playgroundindy.com
adamriviere.com
facebook.com/adamrivieremusic & facebook.com/playgroundindy
Instagram: @adamriviere, @playground_indy
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
When meeting a new student I enjoy having an interview/jam session! When meeting for the first time I want the student to know I am here for them in what they want to achieve in music, and then to see if I am the right fit for reaching their goals!
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have two degrees in music: BS in Music Business (cum laude) with a prinicpal in percussion, and a Masters of Science in Music Technology.
I have studied, practiced, and performed music for almost 30 years, and am able to play over 30 different instruments.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
30 minute lesson: $30
60 minute lesson: $55
How did you get started teaching?
When I was in high school I was one of the few percussion students who could read and write music, know all my major and minor scales, and was very proficient where my peers were not so I would assist in teaching the fundamentals in playing, reading, and writing... I graduated high school in 1996.
What types of students have you worked with?
All levels! All ages! Youngest student I have had was 4 years old, and the oldest was 86.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
I will refer to a weekend of events hosted at my studio Playground Productions Studio: Friday night I hosted an R&B showcase presenting local talent, Saturday I hosted as well as performed in a mini electronic music festival at my studio, and Sunday I hosted and performed in a variety show where myself and one of my students performed Middle Eastern rhythms while belly dancers danced! The weekend was full of firsts for many, including myself, and seeing the reaction from people who attended and participated in these events reminds me of why I do what I do as an artist, engineer, producer, and educator.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
To enter with an open mind, and to focus on having fun. Even though hard work will be involved make sure that coming in at every lesson doesn;t feel like a job.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
Simply what do I want from this experience? A lot of things will fall into place when you know why you are doing it, and what you want out of it.