In the wake of the Utah Symphony's extensive search for its Assistant Conductor, Jessica Rivero Altarriba emerged as the chosen candidate after impressing a panel of Symphony members and staff through auditions and interviews.

Altarriba will step into the role following Matthew Straw, who concludes a successful tenure as the Symphony’s Associate Conductor, moving on to become the Assistant Conductor of France’s Strasbourg National Opera.

Her selection was based on her remarkable technical prowess, musicality, and charismatic presence on stage, along with her ability to engage and connect with audiences. Altarriba is also the recipient of the Taki Alsop Fellowship Award for 2024-2026 and holds the position of Freeman Conducting Fellow with the Chicago Sinfonietta.

Having served as the New Jersey Symphony’s inaugural Colton Conducting Fellow for the 2023/24 season, Altarriba boasts an impressive resume, having conducted various orchestras including the Esteban Salas Symphony Orchestra, Virtuous Mediterrani Orchestra, Lüneburg Symphoniker, University of the Arts Band, and the Eastern Symphony Orchestra.

A graduate in conducting from the Arts University in Havana, Altarriba is currently pursuing a Master's in Orchestral Conducting under Marin Alsop at the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University, where she also holds the Excellence in Music Leadership Fellowship.

Her upcoming schedule includes performances with esteemed orchestras such as the Mozarteumorchester Salzburg, New Jersey Symphony, Peabody Symphony, NOI Festival Orchestra, Ravinia Festival, and the Colorado Summer Festival.

In her new capacity with the Utah Symphony, Altarriba will oversee outreach performances and the Family Concert Series across Utah. Additionally, she will serve as the cover conductor for the orchestra’s Masterworks Series and mentor students as part of the Utah Symphony’s “Conductors in the Classroom” program, fostering a long-term relationship with music students at Cottonwood High School.

Altarriba’s collaboration with Cottonwood High School adds to the Utah Symphony/Utah Opera’s extensive music education initiatives, benefiting over 100,000 students and teachers annually.

Expressing her excitement, Altarriba shared, “From the moment I began making music with the Utah Symphony, I was struck by the orchestra’s sound, their commitment to excellence, and their collaborative spirit. I am honored to join such an exceptional ensemble and a community that values the arts deeply.”

Established in 1940, the Utah Symphony and Utah Opera comprise 87 full-time symphony musicians and five opera Resident Artists, delivering over 175 concerts annually to more than 400,000 Utah residents. With a rich history of international tours and a vast discography, the orchestra stands as a pillar of cultural excellence.