2026 Reynolds Conducting Institute Fellow

Meet Jimmy Santos Rivera

Jimmy Santos-Rivera recently earned a Master of Music in Wind Conducting and will commence doctoral studies in Wind Conducting in Fall 2026 at The University of Texas at Austin. In this position, he assists with conducting and administrating the university’s concert bands, athletic bands, and conducting courses. Santos earned his Bachelor’s in Arts in Music Education with a minor in percussion from the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras campus. His birthplace, upbringing, and career have been developed on the island. Prior to moving to Austin, he worked eight years in the Department of Education with a teaching position in the Escuela Especializada en Bellas Artes Pablo Casals. There he taught concert band, percussion, and music theory. He served as a substitute player in the percussion section of the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra, section percussion player in the Puerto Rico Wind Symphony and Puerto Rico Philharmonic Orchestra. In 2019, Santos enlisted as a member of the 248th Army Band in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Currently serving as a percussion player in the marching band, jazz and Latin music ensemble, brass ensemble and principal conductor in the concert band. Some of his mentors include: Carlos Ávila, Eddy Marcano, Karlo Flores, Carmen Acevedo and Jerry Junkin.