The Empire State Youth Orchestra is excited to welcome conductor Andrés Rivas to the podium as guest conductor for ESYO Symphony Orchestra for the 2021-2022 season. Rivas, born in Caracas, Venezuela, began studying music at 3 years old at the Centro Académico Montalbán, part of the El Sistema de Orquestas Juveniles e Infantiles de Venezuela.  

Andrés brings a wealth of experience to ESYO Symphony Orchestra both as a violinist and conductor. He has performed in famous concert halls across the globe with world-class musicians and conductors like the late Claudio Abbado, Giuseppe Sinopoli, Sir Simon Rattle, Esa Pekka Salonen, Joann Faletta, and Hollywood icon John Williams.

In tribute to his early years as an El-Sistema student, L.A. Philharmonic Music Director Gustavo Dudamel personally invited Andrés to take the baton at the inauguration of the National Center for Social Action for Music. The performance also marked the 36th anniversary of El Sistema in Venezuela. A graduate of Bard College Conservatory and the only recipient for the Master at The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Andrés Rivas serves as the Assistant Conductor of the Hudson Valley-based Orchestra Now alongside Maestro Leon Botstein.

Andrés brings to ESYO Symphony Orchestra a passion for new music, a great appreciation for the giants of Classical music, and a deep love for inspiring young musicians to strive for musical excellence.