Alexandra Arrieche says that her heart is with young artists. As a young girl, Arrieche dreamed of being part of an orchestra but lived in a region of Brazil that provided little opportunity to pursue classical music. When her family moved to Sao Paolo during her teenage years, she suddenly had access to music schools and more instruments than the piano she had learned to play as a child. During that period of her life, Arrieche began writing music for her friends and took up conducting for the first time. She has seen the powerful effect music has as a universal language, especially on young people. Arrieche is dedicated to providing opportunities for others to experience that magic.
Now, Arrieche is the Music Director of the Henderson Symphony Orchestra and Olympia Symphony Orchestra, as well as the principal conductor of the Antwerp Philharmonic Orchestra. At the Henderson Symphony Orchestra, Arrieche spearheads education and youth programs such as the Young Artists Competition.
Another educational program near and dear to her heart is the Conductor Camp. Arrieche launched it for her friends in Brazil to help overcome the lack of opportunity available to them. That program grew into a multidimensional training program, and, in 2019, the Henderson Symphony Orchestra launched its own Conductor Camp. The annual program is set on expansion and looks forward to hosting conductors from around the country and internationally.
In addition to Arrieche’s work as director and conductor, she has collaborated with numerous well-known artists including Natasha Bedingfield, Earth Wind & Fire and Seal. Arrieche also hosts a podcast called Beethoven Was a Rockstar, on which she explores the boundaries between pop and classical music.