Commander: Chief Warrant Officer Stephen K. Rivero serves our Country as the Commander and Conductor of the Florida National Guard’s, 13th Army Band. He has been a member of the Army Band for the past twenty-six years and has performed throughout the United States, Dominican Republic, Morocco, and most recently in Guyana. He attended Basic Training in Ft. McClellan, Alabama, and Warrant Officer Candidate School in Ft. Rucker, Alabama. CW2 Rivero has received numerous honors and awards, including the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, and the Florida Commendation Medal.
Mr. Rivero received his Bachelor of Music from the University of Miami in 1995 and was named the Honor Graduate for the School of Music. In his civilian career, he is the Director of Bands at Charles W. Flanagan High School, in Pembroke Pines, Florida. Prior to his appointment at Flanagan High School, Mr. Rivero was the Director of Bands and Fine Arts Department Chair at Hialeah High School. While at Hialeah, he was named the Teacher of the Year for the 2002 school year, and had achieved great success with all of his ensembles.
Under his Direction, Flanagan’s Marching, Jazz, and Concert Bands have consistently earned Superior Ratings at all Florida Bandmasters Association Music Performance Assessments. In 2008, the Marching Band was featured in the Emmy Nominated-ABC Christmas Day Parade from Walt Disney World, and was named a Finalist at the Bands of America Orlando Regional. In 2009, his Wind Orchestra completed a performance tour in Washington, D.C. The ensemble performed at the Lincoln Memorial for the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Celebration and at the National Adjudicator’s Invitational, where they earned the title of National Champion. Most recently, his Wind Orchestra was the featured Band at the Opening Concert for the 2011 FMEA Conference in Tampa, Florida.
Mr. Rivero is an active Guest Conductor, Clinician, and Adjudicator. In January of 2010, he was selected by the Florida Music Educators Association to be the Conductor of the All-State Small School Honor Band. At this event, he was given the honor of premiering Robert Sheldon’s newest work, One Thousand Cranes.
In his 17 years of teaching experience, Mr. Rivero’s Ensembles continue to be among the best in the Nation.
First Sergeant: 1SG Christine Corella serves as the unit's primary Enlisted Band Leader and plays tuba in the 13th Army Concert Band and Brass Ensemble. She joined the unit at the age of 17 during her senior year in high school. For the past twenty-four years she has performed throughout the United States, Santo Domingo, and most recently Saint Kitts. She has performed multiple years with the Armed Forces Tuba Euphonium Ensemble during the annual Tuba Euphonium Conference in Washington D.C. Recently she attended the First Sergeant's Course and was declared a Commandant's List Graduate.
1SG Corella received her Bachelor of Music from the University of Miami, a Masters from Florida International University in Educational Leadership, and an Educational Specialist in Computing Technology in Education at Nova Southeastern University. She is currently pursuing her doctorate in Technology and is in the "All But Dissertation" (ABA) phase of her studies.
For almost 20 years, 1SG Corella has worked in the education arena. She taught music for 10 years before moving into education administration. While a teacher, she was named Teacher of the Year at Naranja Elementary School and became project manager for a $200,000 a year After School Program grant in 1998. Currently she is an Assistant Principal at Dante B. Fascell Elementary School. Under her leadership and guidance, Dante B. Fascell Elementary School was awarded the Florida Sterling Award in 2004. 1SG Corella was recognized as Region V Assistant Principal of the Year in 2006 and was subsequently named a finalist for the Miami-Dade County Public School's Assistant Principal of the Year.
