Her global appeal has been illustrated by her dedication to the arts, as she effortlessly shifts amongst her task as an Internationally recognized conductor, singer, charismatic public speaker, scholar, and administrator.  Dr. Elgarresta Rios is the Professor of Music and Assistant Chair of the Department of Fine Arts at Barry University.  Most recently, Dr Elgarresta Ríos was named Founding Director of the Institute for Immigration Studies at Barry University focusing on her work on the topic of Diversity and Inclusion.

She has been instrumental in furthering the interest for the arts in South Florida through strategic collaborations and board engagements with organizations such as The Florida Grand Opera, The Martha/Mary Concert Series, Peermusic Publishing, and the Colonial Florida Cultural Heritage Center.  In addition, she has served as a choral adjudicator and clinician for The Walt Disney Company and is the American representative of the International artistic committee of Chorus Inside International, chosen among the most devoted and relevant personalities of the music and choral environment.  Dr. Giselle Elgarresta Ríos is the Co-Executive Director of the Josef Gingold Chamber Music Festival and is the Chorus Master for the South Florida Symphony Orchestra.