Prior to her appointment at Colorado Mesa University, Kirsten Hoogstraten Rivera, PhD, was the interim assistant director of bands at the University of Colorado Boulder, where she assisted with the Golden Buffalo Marching Band, directed the Concert Band and taught Marching Band Techniques. She also directed the Buff Pep Band at volleyball and basketball games, traveling with the ensemble to the Big XII and NCAA basketball tournaments.
Prior to graduating with her doctorate, Hoogstraten Rivera was a graduate teaching assistant with the Texas Tech Bands, where she guest-conducted the TTU Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band and Concert Band, and, along with her colleagues, conducted the TTU University Band and assisted with the college’s undergraduate conducting classes. Hoogstraten Rivera was also heavily involved with the athletic bands at TTU, writing drill for and conducting the Goin’ Band from Raiderland and directing the Court Jesters Basketball Band. Previously, Hoogstraten Rivera taught band for three years in St. Marys, Kansas, one year in North Brookfield, Massachusetts, and two years with Orange County Public Schools in Orlando, Florida.
Hoogstraten Rivera has presented sessions at the International Tuba Euphonium Conference (2023 and 2024) and performed and presented at the National Conference of Percussion Pedagogy (2025 and 2026). She actively arranges for chamber winds, tuba/euphonium ensemble and athletic bands. Hoogstraten Rivera graduated with a Doctor of Musical Arts in wind conducting from Texas Tech University. She earned a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Kansas and a Master of Arts in instrumental conducting from the University of Central Florida. Her primary conducting teachers were Sarah McKoin, Scott Lubaroff and John Lynch. Her doctoral project was a transcription of Caroline Shaw’s “Plan & Elevation” for chamber winds and percussion.
Published Work:
Plan & Elevation: The Gardens of Dumbarton Oaks by Caroline Shaw, transcribed by Kirsten Hoogstraten Rivera; transcription available through Murphy Music Press