Riveros Takes on New Role

Instructor of Harp Juan Riveros joined the MSU faculty in Fall 2024. He now adds to his roles the Principal Harp position in the Detroit Opera Orchestra.

Juan Riveros recently won the Detroit Opera’s Principal Harp audition and will be joining the orchestra in the 2025-2026 season. Riveros is instructor of harp in the Strings Area of the College of Music at Michigan State University.

He has performed in the pit for Detroit Opera productions in the past and said that he looks forward to beginning his new role in the fall in addition to his teaching responsibilities at MSU.

“I’m thrilled to be joining the Detroit Opera Orchestra and creating moving, memorable performances alongside my colleagues,” he said. “After many years of artistic and academic 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.”

Detroit Opera, which began as Michigan Opera Theater in 1971, was founded by the late David DiChiera. It rebranded as Detroit Opera in 2022 to affirm its commitment to the city.

“As I begin my role as the ensemble’s new principal harpist, I am eager to continue my own learning and share insights with my students. I look forward to illuminating the nuances between orchestral and operatic playing and exploring interpretive decisions in significant excerpts, such as Wagner’s Magic Fire Music or Donizetti’s Lucia,” Riveros said.

In his first full year teaching harp at MSU, Riveros has worked diligently toward the development of musicians in his studio as well as recruiting harp students. His new role with Detroit Opera further strengthens the connection between the College of Music and Detroit which includes the MSU Community Music School – Detroit and several faculty and alums with key roles in the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.