Meet the one who makes all the magic happen ~ our CEO Steven M. Rivera. Steven was always interested in music starting in childhood. He was born 3 months pre mature and has many disabilities, but that doesn’t stop him from doing what he loves most — creating music edits for his clients! Steven has many years of experience editing music. here’s a story from Steven in his own words as to how SMR Music Edits came to be as well as how he got started editing music.

When I was growing up, I always loved music! My parents bought me many cassettes of kids songs (Raffi was actually one of my favorites as a child). However in 1994, I was introduced to my favorite singer in the world — Mariah Carey (thanks Aunt Daniela)! Throughout my life, I had many dreams. One was to open a music store to sell records, CDs, and cassettes. But as the years went by, my dreams changed.

Growing up, my sister Rebecca (Becky) danced and I got involved with dance as well. I danced for 10 years under the direction of Amy Burns-Cuozzo at ABC Center for Performing Arts. One thing about dance that I loved is when the music would become shorter. Little did I know that it is what I would end up doing today. So I had many cassettes that I practiced editing on and believe me, it was not an easy task and more often than not, I’d have to restart all over because the cuts didn’t come out perfect. But back in the day when you’d cut music on a cassette it’d be far from perfect.

So in 2005, I got my first music editing software (Cakewalk Music Creator 2) and I would practice my music editing skills on that for HOURS ON END! Long story short, I became so great that my cuts eventually became so good you couldn’t even hear them.

Now to fast forward to about 10 years ago, my sister founded her own dance studio, Limitless Performing Arts Complex and I became the music director of it, which by the way is a title I am quite proud of! But I still felt like something was missing from my life. I had graduated high school, was doing music editing for my sister and just for fun. Then a light bulb went off ~ I can create my own music editing company!

So in 2018 with the assistance of my parents and my sister, SMR Music Edits was born. I am so proud of how far I have come as someone who was once just editing music for fun. I have no idea how many mixes and productions I have done in my spare time prior to this become a reality ~ a lot! LOL. I am just so blessed, humbled and honored to be doing this for so many wonderful choreographers and dance teachers alike.

I continue to hone my craft every chance I get. When I am not at work on a clients edit, chances are I am just fiddling around with something just for kicks and giggles. Not necessarily because I am bored per se, but it’s always good to have hours of practice under your belt. That’s what makes us all better ~ practice, practice, practice!

So that my friends is how SMR Music Edits came to life. I am so glad we will be entering our 8th year next season. Now before you’re done reading this I need to do a few thank you’s:

To my amazing parents Sam and Christine ~ Thank you for always believing in me and in my vision and helping me in any way you possibly can. Thank you for your support and love always and also for lending an ear whenever I need advice or help. I love you both more than words can express.

To my sister Rebecca (Becky) ~ You are an incredible mother to your children, wife to your husband, an amazing studio owner and dance teacher, but most importantly, thank you for being my best friend. Thank you for your constant guidance and love whenever I need you and for allowing me to be such a invaluable part of Limitless. Not only are you my best friend, but you are the greatest sister I could ever ask for. I love you with all my heart.

To my wonderful partner in life, Andrea ~ Lord knows what I’d do without you! You keep me sane (if I am even to be called sane…haha), grounded, and so very loved. Thank you, my love for all your support you’ve given me and for your love. Not only are you my partner in life, but you are the best person I could ask to share and do life with. You are truly the great love of my life. I cherish you and the life we have with our fur babies. I love you.

Lastly to my loyal clients: You guys are the reason I have remained in business the last 7 years. You guys are truly awesome. I love working with each and every one of you. The work each of us create together is like a piece of a never ending puzzle. Thank you for your support and let’s keep on doing so much more for years to come.

God bless you all,

Steven M. Rivera
CEO