The Embassy of Mexico in Germany Presents the Prize “Mexicanos Distinguidos” to Alondra de la Parra
On the 9th of March, Women’s Day 2023, Alondra de la Parra accepted the prize given by the Amb. Francisco Quiroga in commemoration of her accomplishments as an orchestra director
March 09th, 2023
On March 9, 2023, on the occasion of Women's Day, Mexico's Ambassador to Germany, Francisco Quiroga, addressed philanthropist and conductor-director Alondra de la Parra Borja and presented her with the "Mexicanos Distinguidos" (Distinguished Mexicans) award in recognition of her career and her work in promoting Mexican culture.
Raised in Mexico City, De la Parra began her piano studies at age 7 and cello at age 13. During her adolescence, she discovered her passion for conducting and at the age of 16 she moved to London to pursue high school and music studies at Mayfield School San Leonardo. In 2000, at the age of 19, De la Parra moved to New York City to study piano and conducting at the Manhattan School of Music. She earned her degree in Piano Performance under the direction of Jeffrey Cohen and studied conducting with her mentor, Kenneth Kiesler, receiving a Masters in Conducting in 2008. De la Parra has been trained by Marin Alsop, Dutoit Carlos, and Kurt Masur.
De la Parra has enjoyed a distinguished career, receiving national and international recognition for her innovation and musical mastery and was the first woman to conduct multiple orchestras. Not only did she reach the highest levels in a traditionally male-dominated profession, but she also became an important interlocutor in Mexican and German cultural relations.
The event took place at the Embassy of Mexico in the city of Berlin and it was attended by about one hundred people, composed of representatives of the German cultural world, members of the diplomatic corps and members of the Mexican community living in Berlin.
The award ceremony began with a short lute concert performed by Mexican musician Pedro Alcácer, followed by the presentation of a five-minute video that summarized the distinguished career of Director Parra. The honoree then highlighted the responsibility that comes with the scope of her accomplishments, as well as the professional challenges she faced as a Mexican spreading the name of Mexico abroad.
