Born with a passion for creating stories in music, winner of the 19th Curso Concurso Beca 2018 for Conductors and Pianist, 2023 Denver Philharmonic Workshop & Competition, Jesus Parra is an emerging conductor who believes in social transformation through music education. In 2025, Jesus participated as conductor in the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music, mentored by Cristian Măcelaru, Octavio Mas-Arocas, and Stacy Garrop.

A Venezuelan musician and conductor, Jesus was formed in the El Sistema program, which is well known for cooperating and training thousands of young people in music, and where Jesus learned the art of conducting at the age of 12. His principal instrument is the viola. He formed part of the Youth Symphony Orchestra of Caracas from 2011 until 2016. There he had the opportunity to gain international participation in Europe, South America, and the US.

Believing in the power of music, Parra is presently serving as an Upper String Teacher in the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra OrchKids program.

Jesus is currently pursuing a master’s degree in orchestral conducting at Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University, studying with the renowned conductors Marin Alsop and Joseph Young. He received his bachelor’s degree in Viola Performance at Andrews University in Michigan, studying viola with Carla Trynchuk and conducting with Dr. Marc Elysee.