New Assistant Conductor Hired by Utah Symphony

The talented Cuban-born conductor, Jessica Rivero Altarriba, has been selected to take on the role of Assistant Conductor for the Utah Symphony starting in September 2024. Altarriba impressed the audition panel with her technical expertise, musicianship, and ability to connect with audiences, earning her the prestigious Taki Alsop Fellowship Award and a Freeman Conducting Fellowship.

Altarriba, currently completing her season as the New Jersey Symphony’s Colton Conducting Fellow, has an impressive resume, including guest conducting roles with various orchestras and serving as Music Director for different ensembles. She graduated in conducting from the Arts University in Havana and is now pursuing her Master’s in Orchestral Conducting with Marin Alsop at the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University.

In her new role with the Utah Symphony, Altarriba will lead outreach performances and the Family Concert Series, as well as serve as a mentor in the “Conductors in the Classroom” program at Cottonwood High School. She expressed her excitement to join the orchestra and be part of the vibrant arts-loving community.

The Utah Symphony and Utah Opera, founded in 1940, are renowned for their high-quality performances and music education programs that benefit thousands of students and teachers annually. Altarriba’s appointment brings a fresh perspective and a wealth of experience to the ensemble, promising exciting collaborations and performances in the upcoming seasons.