BIOGRAPHY

Zabriel Rivers is a Gullah-Geechee singer, cultural artist, and educator celebrated for his “soaring voice and magnetic stage presence that brings both spiritual depth and storytelling brilliance” (Opera Now). His artistry preserves and reimagines the rich musical traditions of the African American South, bridging sacred songs, ring shouts, and folktales of the Gullah people with contemporary performance.

Rivers has performed at Carnegie Hall, the Perelman Performing Arts Center, and major universities and festivals, appearing in works such as Ballad of the Brown King (2024), Stabat Mater (2023), and Freedom Song: When Gospel Came to the Empire (2024). He starred in the musical drama Jubilee at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival, bringing the spiritual and folk traditions of Black America to life with authenticity and power.

A graduate of New England Conservatory (M.M.) and Alabama State University (B.M.A.), Rivers studied classical voice and music education, which informs his culturally rooted performances. He is also a proud member of Phi Mu Alpha, advocating for music education, cultural preservation, and community engagement.

Through programs like A Gullah Evening with Zabriel, Rivers shares the language, stories, and songs of his heritage, inspiring audiences while ensuring that the living legacy of Gullah-Geechee music continues to thrive.