Yabetza Vivas Irizarry is a Puerto Rican conductor known for her charismatic stage presence, meticulous interpretations, and dedication to promoting diversity and inclusivity in classical music. Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Yabetza developed a deep passion for music at a young age, inspired by the vibrant rhythms and melodies of her island’s rich musical heritage. She made history as the first Puerto Rican woman to conduct a classical season concert with the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra (PRSO) in its 67-year history, an achievement El Nuevo Día praised, noting that “the clarity in the direction of Vivas Irizarry and the response of the musicians filled with charm the Pablo Casals Hall.”

Maestra Vivas Irizarry is dedicated to championing the works of composers from Puerto Rico and Latin America. Through her programming choices and by securing funding through grants, donations, and sponsorships to commission new works, she strives to celebrate the diverse musical expressions of her culture, infusing her performances with the richness and vibrancy of her heritage. Since the 2020–21 season, she has appeared as a guest conductor with the PRSO, with which she has recorded a virtual concert and has since led numerous concerts. Her operatic work includes the world stage premiere of ¿Y Los Pasteles? Ópera Jíbara en Dos Actos, a new comic opera by Puerto Rican composer Johanny Navarro, commissioned through OPERA America’s Opera Grants for Female Composers program and supported by the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation, with production by Opera de Puerto Rico. In 2025, she served as assistant conductor for Osvaldo Golijov’s Ainadamar alongside Maestro Maximiano Valdés at the Casals Festival.

In addition to her artistic endeavors, Maestra Vivas Irizarry is a passionate advocate for music education and community engagement, believing in the transformative power of music to inspire, heal, and unite communities. Through workshops, outreach programs, and educational initiatives, she works tirelessly to foster the next generation of talent and is committed to supporting aspiring musicians and conductors, particularly women and individuals from underrepresented backgrounds. This led her to serve as Music Director of the Puerto Rican Youth Symphony Orchestra within the El Sistema 100x35 program.

From 2019 to 2022, Vivas Irizarry received mentorship from Music Director Mei-Ann Chen as a Freeman Conducting Fellow with the Chicago Sinfonietta, a program dedicated to artistic excellence and the advancement of underrepresented conductors.

Throughout her career, Vivas Irizarry has worked with renowned conductors such as Mei-Ann Chen, Dr. Emily Freeman Brown, Kenneth Kiesler, Maximiano Valdés, and Roselín Pabón, and has participated in conducting masterclasses in the United States and England. Professionally, she has conducted works including Angélica Negrón’s What Keeps Me Awake, Amy Beach’s Gaelic Symphony, Johanny Navarro’s ¿Y Los Pasteles?, Aaron Jay Kernis’s On Wings of Light, Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Major, Aaron Copland’s Suite from Appalachian Spring, Frank Loesser’s musical The Most Happy Fella, Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 in A Major, Shostakovich’s Chamber Symphony Op. 110a, Dvořák’s Symphony No. 7, works of Brahms, Poulenc’s Gloria, Barber’s Knoxville: Summer of 1915, and Britten’s Simple Symphony No. 4, among others. She has also accompanied soloists including clarinetist Kathleen Jones, oboist Ivonne Pérez, guitarist Matthew Ardizzone, soprano Meechot Marrero, and tenor Pedro Arroyo.

Maestra Vivas Irizarry began her musical training as a mezzo-soprano at the Conservatorio de Música de Puerto Rico, where she earned a Bachelor of Music degree in Choral Music Education, before pursuing orchestral conducting abroad. She holds a Master of Music degree in Orchestra Conducting from Bowling Green State University, where she studied under Dr. Emily Freeman Brown and worked with composers including Aaron Jay Kernis and Gabriela Lena Frank. She currently serves as general manager and guest conductor of the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra, where she has secured over $2 million in public and private funding for special projects, commissions, and community outreach. She was named Women of the Year 2024–2025 by El Nuevo Día’s Magacín and is represented by Athlone Artists.