SAN FRANCISCO, CA — The San Francisco Conservatory of Music (SFCM) today announces the appointment of hornist Kevin Rivard to its faculty. Currently co-principal French horn at San Francisco Opera and principal horn in the San Francisco Ballet Orchestra, Rivard has been the recipient of several international prizes and is regarded as one of standard-bearers of brass musicianship.

“We are delighted to welcome Kevin Rivard to SFCM,” says Provost and Dean Kate Sheeran. “He joins an outstanding roster of horn faculty, all members of the San Francisco Symphony, and brings with him the perspective he has gained from years of experience in the San Francisco Opera and Ballet orchestras. Kevin is an outstanding musician and performer, and a truly committed educator.”

“I look forward to working with some of the country's top students at the Conservatory,” comments Rivard. “The school has created a wonderfully unique environment in which students can have the laser focus needed to refine and perfect the minuscule details that make great performers, while at the same time being able to imagine, explore, and create the artist within.”

Kevin Rivard joined the San Francisco Opera Orchestra as co-principal French Horn in 2008. As a soloist and chamber musician, he has performed with the New Century Chamber Orchestra, Music@Menlo, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, and the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. He has also performed with Santa Fe Opera and at the Sarasota Music Festival, Norfolk Chamber Music Festival, and Verbier Festival. He has also served as guest principal horn with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and has performed with the Philadelphia and Metropolitan Opera orchestras, and has been a featured soloist with the Houston Symphony.

Winner of numerous solo competitions, Rivard was awarded Grand Prize at the 2008 Concours International d'Interprétation Musicale in Paris, the 2007 International Horn Competition of America, and the 2003 Farkas Solo Horn Competition. Previous appointments include positions with the Colorado Symphony and Florida Orchestra. Rivard is a graduate of The Juilliard School.

Every year, Rivard volunteers at local schools, performing for youth, hoping to give as many children as possible the opportunity to enjoy live music.