Her Story
About Katherine
Katherine Rivas serves as co-founder and director of the Nucleus Orchestra Program, a Texas-based nonprofit 501C3 that operates two locations in Houston and Orlando. The organization delivers comprehensive music education through four orchestras, two choirs including children and adult ensembles, and a pre-sharing orchestra serving students from young ages through middle and high school as well as adult participants. Rivas and her husband established the program after training for more than 25 years in El Sistema Venezuela under Maestro Jose Antonio Abreu, and they maintain alliances with that system along with Orchestra San Antonio, YOLA, and BNI. In addition to directing the nonprofit, Rivas performs as first flute with the San Antonio Symphony Orchestra alongside her husband on cello, using these experiences to inspire students through regular concerts, recitals, and chamber music performances scheduled throughout the year. She attributes her success to consistency and a passion for educating the young generation by freely transferring her knowledge so students can grow beyond her own achievements, while her primary challenge remains securing funds to expand full scholarships for families unable to cover even the program's low costs.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Katherine
01What do you attribute your success to?
Consistency, passion in the education of the young generation, and giving all my knowledge to my students so they can grow even bigger.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Follow their dreams and become a musician or start the music journey because the earlier they start the earlier they can see that they can do it. There's no limit.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Finding funds to provide full scholarships for students who cannot afford the cost of instruction, even though the program is low cost.
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