Tristan Rivera is in his fourth year as the Assistant Director of Bands at Canyon Ridge Middle School. He is a native Texan, born and raised in San Antonio. Rivera earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Texas at San Antonio where he was under the baton of Professor Ron Ellis and Dr. John Zarco. He also had the privilege of studying trumpet with Dr. Joseph Cooper.

Tristan is no stranger to Leander ISD. He was privileged to student teach at Cedar Park High School with Mr. Steve Wessels, and Cedar Park Middle School with Ms. Britni Hummel. He considers all the staff at these schools to be incredible mentors. He is also a trumpet player in the community group Cedar Park Winds.

Rivera has experience in the marching arts as well. He currently serves on the brass staff for the Cadets Drum Corps. He has also served on the brass staff as lead mellophone tech for the Santa Clara Vanguard and Genesis Drum and Bugle Corps. Prior to that, he was a four-year marching member of Carolina Crown, aging out in 2018 as horn sergeant.

Outside of the band hall, Tristan enjoys travelling, running, coffee, and cooking (and eating). He got married in June 2021 to his long-time sweetheart, Sydney Scooler-Rivera, a fellow band director and Carolina Crown alum. They reside in south Austin with their cat, Olive.