The Detroit Opera Orchestra has appointed Juan Riveros principal harp, beginning in the 2025–2026 season. “I’m thrilled to be joining the Detroit Opera Orchestra and look forward to memorable music-making alongside my colleagues,” Riveros says. “After many years of admiration for the world of opera, it’s a dream come true to collaborate with world-class musicians in Michigan’s gem of an opera house.”
Riveros has performed with the Detroit Opera for a couple of productions in the past, and he says he looks forward to beginning his new role with the orchestra, especially “partaking in the collaborative spirit and energy that fills the opera house for a rehearsal or show.” Riveros has previously performed as guest principal harp with the Cleveland, Atlanta, and Detroit Symphony Orchestras and Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as guest harp with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and Louisville Orchestra. He is also the Instructor of Harp at Michigan State University, a position he has held since the fall of 2024.
As a solo performer, Riveros has won prizes at the 2022 Lyon & Healy Awards, 2022 and 2023 Sphinx Orchestral Partners Auditions (SOPA), and 2020 Anne Adams Awards. 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. Learn more on Riveros’ website.
