About

Biography

Juan Riveros is one of a new generation of harpists bridging a variety of styles and artistic avenues, building audiences and fostering fresh appreciation for an instrument with ancient and diverse traditions. Riveros was appointed as the Instructor of Harp at Michigan State University in August 2024, serving as a member of the String Area faculty and teaching the College of Music’s harp students. A seasoned soloist, Riveros’ experience includes performances at the Rio Harp Festival (2023 - 2025), São Paulo Harp Festival, solo recitals through the American Harp Society’s Winner’s Outreach Program, and the 2019 and 2022 USA International Harp Competitions. Accolades include Award Winner in the 2022 Lyon & Healy Awards, Outstanding Instrumentalist in Harp at the 2022 and 2023 Sphinx SOPA Competitions, Award Winner in the 2020 Anne Adams Awards Competition, and Third Prize in the Young Professional Division of the 2019 American Harp Society National Competition.

As a concerto soloist, Riveros won the Grand Prize in the Lewisville Lake International Concerto Competition and performed Ravel and Debussy’s concerti in 2020. In 2022, Riveros premiered Sami Seif’s Harp Concerto, written for and dedicated to the performer. In 2025, Riveros performed Debussy’s Danses with the Flint Symphony Orchestra and Maestro Enrique Diemecke.

Riveros is the newly appointed Principal Harpist of the Detroit Opera Orchestra. Orchestral experience includes performances as Guest Principal Harp with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra and symphony orchestras of Cleveland, Atlanta, Detroit, Ann Arbor, Flint, and Kalamazoo. Additional engagements include performances as Guest Harp with the Louisville Orchestra and symphony orchestras of Baltimore, Lansing, Saginaw Bay, and Midland. Riveros held the position of Principal Harp with the Cleveland Repertory Orchestra for its inaugural season, performed with the 2018 Round Top Festival Orchestra, and was a member of the 2017 National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America. During the NYO-USA residency, Riveros recorded Ravel’s Introduction et allegro, debuted at Carnegie Hall, premiered Gabriela Lena-Frank’s, Apu: Tone Poem for Orchestra, and performed on tour across South America.

In addition to his studio at Michigan State University, Riveros maintains an international studio of private harp students in both English and Spanish. In his instruction, Riveros is devoted to crafting constructive approaches to harp pedagogy and performance practice. As the head of the harp department, Riveros is also the Director of MSU Harp Day, a yearly event comprising of masterclasses, a featured workshop, performances, and an attendant-inclusive harp ensemble.

Prior teaching experience includes masterclasses for various American Harp Society chapters, the Glissando Program in Puerto Rico, the Interlochen Arts Academy, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra’s Talent Development Program (TDP), University of Michigan, Colorado State University, and Michigan State University. Classroom experience includes teaching undergraduate sections of music theory at the Cleveland Institute of Music and University of Michigan.

Riveros is currently completing a Ph.D. in Music Theory at the University of Michigan, researching Latin American modernism, musical unity, and hybridity in works by Ginastera, Villa-Lobos, and Chávez. Riveros holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Harp Performance and Music Theory from the Cleveland Institute of Music. In 2023, Riveros received an International Postgraduate Certificate in Harp Performance and Research from the National University of the Arts (Argentina). Riveros studied under the tutelage of Alison Read, Joan Raeburn Holland, and Yolanda Kondonassis.

His two published works, “Concert Fantasy on Pajaro Campana” and “Danza No. 1”, are available for purchase through Lyon & Healy (www.harp.com) and Harp Column Music (www.harpcolumn.com/music/).

Riveros serves as the Diversity Coordinator for the American Harp Society (AHS), working with the Society members and leadership to provide representation and resources for the diverse membership of the Society. Additionally, Riveros serves as the Co-Chair of the IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility) Committee.