Laura Rivela
Pianist/Vocalist

Laura Rivela has been playing music throughout her life. She began by studying the piano, organ, ballet and tap dance at age five, often performing in local talent shows and other area venues. She has won several Best Vocalist competitions.

Miss Rivela is also a multi-instrumentalist, who can play several other instruments including classical and electric guitar, bass guitar, clarinet, flute, saxophone, and the drums. She is well versed in various styles of music.

Miss Rivela holds a Music Business Degree from New York’s Five Towns College, receiving the Music Business Award of Excellence. She also studied Music Theory and Composition at Hofstra University where she also served as a university mentor for the students. Miss Rivela’s college performances included classical duets, choral pieces, and working with student jazz ensembles, in addition to studying small band arranging and M.I.D.I. recording.

Miss Rivela has worked both as a soloist and as a keyboard player/vocalist for many groups. After she was approached by Class Act Enterprises, she started MIDI sequencing for such groups as the Chordettes (Mister Sandman, Lollipop) and the Cleftones (Heart and Soul, Little Girl of Mine). She also wrote their musical charts and eventually became the Musical Director for the Cleftones, travelling nationally and internationally with them. She has performed at venues such as the “From the Heart Concerts” at the Nassau Coliseum; The Meadowlands Arena (now the Continental Arena); Mohegan Sun Hotel and Casino; Oneida Reservation Hotel and Casino; the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas; the “Rhythm Riot” weekend in Rye, England; “Screamin’ Summer Festival”  in Barcelona, Spain; and the renowned Sands in Atlantic City. She has worked with or alongside artists such as John Bowser from Sha Na Na, The Drifters, The Miracles, Laverne Baker, and Jerry Lee Lewis, just to name a few. Miss Rivela has also appeared on the PBS Doo-Wop Gold Concerts. She was awarded the East End Arts 2012 Volunteer of the Year for her volunteerism and musical performance at their 40th Gala, held at Raphaels Winery in Peconic, New York. She currently enjoys her volunteer work for ARTIS-Naples and fulfilling her role as the Musical Director of the Naples Woman’s Club Great Dames singers.

Miss Rivela continues to record and perform internationally, nationally, and locally. Her most recent recording, “Nothing’s Wrong,” written by Nick Saunders, the President of Blue Lion Productions, can be found below.