Biography

Juan Riveros is one of a new generation of young harpists who bridge a variety of genres and artistic avenues, building audiences and fostering fresh appreciation for an instrument with ancient and diverse traditions. A seasoned performer, Riveros has performed in the 2023 Rio International Harp Festival, various solo recitals through the American Harp Society’s Winner’s Outreach Program, and the 2019 and 2022 USA International Harp Competitions. His numerous honors 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, Third Prize in the Young Professional Division of the 2019 American Harp Society National Competition, and Grand Prize in the Lewisville Lake International Concerto Competition. In 2022, Riveros premiered Sami Seif’s Harp Concerto, written for and dedicated to the performer. Riveros holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Harp Performance and Music Theory from the Cleveland Institute of Music. where he studied with Yolanda Kondonassis. Academic studies included seminars with Diane Urista, Samuel Bivens, Marshall Griffith, Timothy Cutler, and Susan McClary. In 2023, Riveros received an International Postgraduate Certificate in Harp Performance and Research from the National University of the Arts (Argentina). His other teachers include Joan Raeburn-Holland and Alison Read. Riveros is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Music Theory at the University of Michigan.

Riveros’ orchestral experience includes performances as Guest Harp with ensembles such as the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra, Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, Detroit Opera Orchestra, Midland Symphony Orchestra (Michigan), Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, Cleveland Repertory Orchestra, Round Top Festival Orchestra, and the National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America. During his NYO-USA residency and tour of Latin America, Riveros recorded Ravel’s Introduction et allegro, debuted at Carnegie Hall, and premiered Gabriela Lena-Frank’s, Apu: Tone Poem for Orchestra.

In addition to an active performance career, Riveros maintains a private studio of harp students, and teaches music theory at the University of Michigan. In his instruction, Riveros is devoted to crafting constructive approaches to harp pedagogy and music theory fundamentals. Prior teaching experience includes masterclasses for various American Harp Society chapters, the Interlochen Arts Academy, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra’s Talent Development Program (TDP), and a teaching assistant position at the Cleveland Institute of Music. His primary research interests focus on providing accessible resources on performance practice, music theory pedagogy at the harp, and analysis of the harp’s repertoire, especially repertoire from Latin America. His first published work, “Concert Fantasy on Pajaro Campana,” is available for purchase through Lyon & Healy (www.harp.com).

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. Additional roles in the AHS include committee membership on the IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility) Committee and Membership Committee. He is the Administrative Coordinator of the American Harp Institute with Yolanda Kondonassis.

Riveros performs on a Lyon and Healy Salzedo harp, as well as a Camac Llanera and an arpa llanera made by J. J. Martin in Colombia.