Juan Riveros
Harpist & Instructor
Juan Riveros is currently the Instructor of Harp at Michigan State University and Principal Harpist of the Detroit Opera Orchestra.
UPCOMING
September 12, 7:30PM, Hill Auditorium, Ann Arbor MI
Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra – Guest Harp, Ravel’s Daphnis et Chloé Suite No. 2 and Bolero
September 27, 7:30PM, Miller Auditorium, Kalamazoo MI
Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra – Guest Harp, Ravel’s La valse
October 4, 7:30PM, Wharton Center, East Lansing MI
Lansing Symphony Orchestra – Guest Harp, Holst’s The Planets
October 9, 7:30PM, UrbanBeat Event Center, East Lansing MI
20th Century Masterworks for Flute and Harp
with MSU Professor of Flute, Richard Sherman
October 19, 7:30PM, Corson Auditorium, Interlochen MI
Traverse City Philharmonic – Guest Harp, Holst’s The Planets
November 1, 9:00AM–6:00PM, Billman Music Pavillion, East Lansing MI
November 11, 12:00PM, Church of the Covenant, Cleveland OH
Guest Recital with Danny Jordan, viola – Works by Bax, Schubert, and Debussy
November 12, 7:30PM, Cook Recital Hall, East Lansing MI
Riveros Duo: Reflections for Viola and Harp– Faculty Recital at MSU with Danny Jordan, viola
December 7, 7:00PM, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Ann Arbor MI
Recital, Music for Meditation
December 7, 2:30PM, December 11, 7:30PM, December 13, 7:30PM, Detroit Opera House, Detroit MI
William Grant Still’s Highway 1
December 14, 2:00PM, St. Katherine’s Church, East Lansing MI
MSU Harp Studio Christmas Recital – Student and faculty performances of Christmas favorites
Follow along on Instagram for frequent updates and posts, as well as insights from behind the harp!
@diaryofaharpist
LIVESTREAM – 2023 Rio Harp Festival
Obrigado, Brasil! It was an honor and pleasure to perform for the 2023 Rio Harp Festival, the largest harp festival in the world, alongside Elisabeth Remy Johnson. Thank you to Elisabeth and Sergio da Costa e Silva for the experiences, as well as the incredible audiences for the energizing feedback! Looking forward to 2024!
– Juan Riveros
Short 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, 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.
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.
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.
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.