Carlos Rafael Rivera

Carlos Rafael Rivera is a multiple award-winning composer, musician, and educator whose iconic scores for film and television have defined some of the most celebrated stories in recent years, including Netflix’s The Queen’s Gambit. Since his debut film, Universal’s A Walk Among the Tombstones — longlisted for “Best Original Score” at the 87th Academy Awards — Carlos has centered his approach on bringing a director’s vision to life, often by scoring directly from the screenplay. This commitment has made him a sought-after composer and trusted collaborator for filmmakers such as Scott Frank, with whom he has partnered on multiple projects, including the recent global Netflix/LeftBank Pictures hit: An Adaptation of Jussi Adler-Olsen’s Department Q.

Carlos’s acute ability to bolster narrative with music has resulted in credits on several critically acclaimed, character-driven projects. His work on Apple TV’s Lessons in Chemistry recently earned him his fifth Emmy nomination and third Primetime Emmy win, as well as a Society of Composers & Lyricists (SCL) Award for “Best Original Title.” Meanwhile, his widely acclaimed score for The Queen’s Gambit secured his second Emmy, his first Grammy, and two International Film Music Critics Association (IFMCA) Awards — further cementing his reputation for enhancing dramatic storytelling with both subtlety and scale.

Through the release of Netflix's feature film Chupa, by director Jonás Cuarón, Carlos fused a score that celebrates his Latin American heritage while channeling the classic film soundtracks which ignited his passion for cinema as a child. In the following year, he composed music for Bleecker Street’s Ezra, featuring Robert De Niro, Bobby Cannavale, and Rose Byrne, earning his third World Soundtrack Award nomination while demonstrating his versatility across diverse genres and ensemble casts. His recent score for Netflix’s Griselda, starring Sofía Vergara, garnered his second Imagen Award nomination and fourth SCL nomination. Carlos’s music continues to garner recognition through his World Soundtrack and BMI Film & TV Visual Media Awards for his work on HBO Max's hit comedy, Hacks - now in its fourth season - solidifying his status among the industry’s leading composers.  

Running side by side with his career in film and television is Carlos’ role as an educator - a pursuit he regards with equal importance. He chairs the Media Scoring and Production Department at the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music, where he provides hands-on insights to students about both the creative and practical aspects of modern scoring. In his classes, Carlos encourages a narrative-first mindset, mirroring the same story-driven approach he employs in his professional scoring work.

Born in Washington, D.C., and raised across Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Panama, Carlos draws on his multicultural background to bring depth and authenticity to his compositions. Now based in Miami, he balances his professional endeavors with a vibrant family life. A voting member of the Television Academy (Emmys) and the Recording Academy (Grammys), Carlos also serves on the board of the Society of Composers & Lyricists, championing innovation and diversity within the industry.