The Utah Symphony has named Jessica Rivero Altarriba to the position of Assistant Conductor.

She will commence her tenure in September 2024 folllowing an audition and interview panel with Utah Symphony musicians and staff members. A reipient of the Taki Alsop Fellowship Award for 2024-26 and a Freeman Conductor Fellow, Altarriba will take over for Matthew Straw who held the position up until 2023-24. She will also participate in the Symphony’s in-school program “Conductors in the Classroom” and will work with students at Cottonwood High School throughout the school year.

“Auditions are always a challenge, but from the first notes with the Utah Symphony, I was amazed by the sound the orchestra created, the high level of music making, and the spirit of collaboration,” said Altarriba per an official press release. “This is an orchestra that makes music together in such a natural way and I couldn’t be more thrilled to be part of the fabric of such an extraordinary ensemble and arts-loving community.” 

Altarriba, a Cuban native, has performed with such organizations as Malaga Camerata, Virtuous Mediterrani Orchestra, Lüneburg Symphoniker, Holguín Symphony Orchestra, Camagüey Symphony Orchestra, Youth Symphony E.Salas, Philharmonic of the University of Arts, Chamber Orchestra National School of Art, Eastern Symphony Orchestra, Amadeo Roldán Orchestra, Lyceum Mozartiano Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra of University of Art.