The Michigan State University (MSU) College of Music has appointed harpist and educator Juan Riveros to its Strings Area faculty. “I’m most excited about the opportunity to work with fellow harpists in achieving their goals,” Riveros says of his appointment. “As a self-proclaimed harp nerd, I’m thrilled to be connecting with students through the instrument and its repertoire. Similarly, the caliber of playing at MSU and students’ work ethic are inspirational. The harpists are self-motivated individuals who apply themselves to the challenges at hand, and I can only imagine what they will tackle and overcome in their studies.”
Riveros says his goals as a teacher include honing technical skills, as well as emphasizing the importance of understanding the context and stylistic nuances of the harp repertoire. His research interests include performance practice and the rich traditions of Latin American harp music, an area he is particularly enthusiastic about and eager to share with the MSU community. His composition “Danza no. 1” (available from Harp Column Music) explores these Latin American influences.
As a soloist, Riveros has performed at the Rio Harp Festival (2023 and 2024), São Paulo Harp Festival, solo recitals through the American Harp Society’s Winners Outreach Program (now known as the Emerging Artists Program), and the 2019 and 2022 USA International Harp Competitions. He has won awards at the 2022 Lyon & Healy Awards and 2020 Anne Adams Awards competitions, as well as Outstanding Instrumentalist in Harp at the 2022 and 2023 Sphinx SOPA Competitions, 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.
Additionally, Riveros maintains a studio of private harp students in both English and Spanish. He has previously taught masterclasses for various American Harp Society chapters, the Interlochen Arts Academy, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra’s Talent Development Program, and the University of Michigan. His classroom experience includes teaching undergraduate sections of music theory at the Cleveland Institute of Music and University of Michigan.
Learn more about Riveros on his website.
