Detroit Symphony Orchestra Names New Principal Pops Conductor

Enrico Lopez-Yañez will step into the position at the opening of the 2024/25 season for an initial term of three years

Conductor Enrico Lopez-Yañez succeeds Jeff Tyzik, who had been in the post at the Detroit Symphony Orchestra since 2013.

Originally a trumpeter, Lopez-Yañez received his early musical education traveling the world with his father, Jorge Lopez-Yañez — who was a member of the Three Mexican Tenors. Enrico's Latin heritage is evident throughout his work, where he frequently collaborates with leading Mexican artists.

Lopez-Yañez has been Pops Conductor at the Nashville Symphony and Principal Pops Conductor of the Pacific Symphony — and the role of Principal Conductor for Jazz and Pop was created specially for him at the Dallas Symphony Orchestra.

In addition, Lopez-Yañez has collaborated with a wide range of artists, including Nas, Patti LaBelle, Itzhak Perlman, Stewart Copeland, Kenny Loggins, Toby Keith, Leslie Odom Jr., Megan Hilty, and Tituss Burgess.

"Enrico’s vibrancy, charisma, and creativity will invigorate our orchestra and be a tremendous asset," said Erik Rönmark, the President and CEO of the DSO. "Together with Jader, Terence, and Na’Zir, Enrico will be a dynamic artistic leader and conductor that brings unforgettable musical moments to our audiences in Orchestra Hall and throughout Detroit."

"I also want to thank Jeff Tyzik for his decade of exceptional leadership. Jeff has created a strong pops program at the DSO and built a deep rapport with our audiences here in Detroit," he added. "We are eager to build on his legacy with the next generation of pops artistry under Enrico."

"I am honored to be named Principal Pops Conductor of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, which has a long tradition of outstanding pops programming, presented today under its extraordinary PNC Pops Series," said Lopez-Yañez.

"Pops means endless possibilities," he continued. "We can take any genre or artist and use the orchestra to transform and elevate the music, bringing it to audiences in a way that is unique and innovative. I look forward to working with the DSO to create unsurpassed musical experiences that our audiences will love and that will bring together diverse communities."