Jessica Altarriba Named Richmond Symphony Assistant Conductor

The Richmond Symphony has named Cuban conductor Jessica Altarriba as assistant conductor starting with the 2026-27 season. She will take on a mix of Pops, neighborhood, education, family and community concerts while supporting artistic and audience engagement efforts across Central Virginia.

Why it matters: - Jessica Altarriba’s appointment adds a new conductor to the Richmond Symphony’s artistic leadership team ahead of the 2026-27 season. - Her role includes public concerts and community-facing programming, which expands the orchestra’s reach beyond the mainstage. - The hire also strengthens the Symphony’s education and audience engagement work across Central Virginia.

What happened: - The Richmond Symphony announced that Cuban conductor Jessica Altarriba will become assistant conductor beginning with the 2026-27 season. - Altarriba most recently served as assistant conductor of the Utah Symphony and Utah Opera. - Altarriba is a recipient of the Taki Alsop Conducting Fellowship. - Altarriba will join the Richmond Symphony’s artistic leadership team alongside Music Director Valentina Peleggi, Associate Conductor Hae Lee, Chorus Director Richard W. Robbins and Composer-in-Residence Joe Jaxson.

The details: - Altarriba will conduct the Symphony in Pops, neighborhood, education, family and community performances. - Altarriba will also serve as a cover conductor for Richmond Symphony concerts. - Altarriba will support artistic and audience engagement initiatives throughout Central Virginia. - Altarriba’s conducting career has included work in the United States, Cuba, Spain, Germany and Austria. - Before her Utah appointment, Altarriba was the inaugural Colton Conducting Fellow with the New Jersey Symphony. - Altarriba also served as a Freeman Conducting Fellow with the Chicago Sinfonietta. - Altarriba earned a Master of Music in Conducting from the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University. - At Peabody, Altarriba studied with Marin Alsop. - Altarriba was born in Cuba and earned her bachelor’s degree in conducting from the University of the Arts in Havana. - Recent engagements have included the Utah Symphony, New Jersey Symphony, Virginia Symphony Orchestra, Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra and orchestras throughout Europe and Latin America. - Altarriba has also worked with Marin Alsop and Gustavo Dudamel. - Altarriba has focused on both established orchestral repertoire and contemporary works. - Richmond Symphony said additional information about Altarriba and her upcoming appearances will be announced later. - Richmond Symphony President and CEO Lacey Huszcza said Altarriba’s musicianship, leadership and ability to connect with audiences and artists stood out. - Valentina Peleggi said Altarriba will be a strong addition to the Symphony’s artistic staff. - Altarriba said she feels honored to join the Richmond Symphony and looks forward to working with the organization and connecting with audiences in Richmond and Central Virginia.

Between the lines: - The appointment signals a leadership choice that values both podium experience and community engagement. - Richmond Symphony is pairing the hire with a broad mix of performances, suggesting the assistant conductor role will be visible to multiple audience segments. - Altarriba’s background in multiple countries and with several major American orchestras gives Richmond Symphony a conductor with broad repertory and institutional experience.

What's next: - Richmond Symphony will announce additional information about Altarriba’s appearances at a later date. - Altarriba is set to begin in the 2026-27 season. - More details on her Richmond Symphony work are expected before the season starts.

The bottom line: - Richmond Symphony is adding an internationally trained conductor with experience in major U.S. orchestras and a clear focus on community-facing programming.