History in Cuenca: Andrea Vela Becomes the First Woman to Lead the Symphony Orchestra
Cuenca Expat Staff
Cuenca's Symphony Orchestra has a new boss — and for the first time in its history, she's a woman.
Andrea Vela, a violinist from Quito with roughly 30 years of conducting experience, has been appointed principal conductor of the Orquesta Sinfónica de Cuenca after winning a merit-based competition organized by Ecuador's Vice Ministry of Culture. She replaces Augusto Carrión Rodas, who held the baton since February 2021.
Who Is Andrea Vela?
Her resume reads like a greatest hits of Latin American classical music:
- Seven years directing the Orquesta Sinfónica de Loja
- Three years leading Ecuador's National Symphony Orchestra
- A master's degree in orchestral conducting from Shanghai Conservatory of Music (on a Chinese government scholarship)
- An Artist Diploma in orchestra and opera conducting from Washington D.C.
- Guest conducting stints across the Americas, Europe, and Asia
She joined Ecuador's National Symphony Orchestra's violin section at just 16 years old — the youngest member at the time — and left for the U.S. at 17 to pursue formal music studies.
"It is an enormous source of pride for me," Vela said. "When I began conducting orchestras, I had no female role models; the podiums were always occupied by men."
The Debut Concert — This Week
Vela's first performance as principal conductor is a Mother's Day tribute featuring a collaboration with Don Medardo y sus Players, with arrangements by maestro Cristian Tacuri. It's a blend of popular and symphonic music — think pasillo meets Beethoven.
- When: May 7-8, 2026 at 8:00 PM
- Where: Teatro Casa de la Cultura
- Tickets: Starting at , available at Isla Mall del Río, El Surtido, or online via TICKETin
What's Coming Next
Vela has big plans. She wants to grow the orchestra from 55 to 65 musicians, launch pedagogical concerts for children, create composition contests for young talent, and put together annual opera and ballet productions. A June concert will premiere works by major Ecuadorian composers including Mesías Maiguashca, Juan Campoverde, and Rafael Subía.
If you've been meaning to check out Cuenca's classical music scene, this week's concert is a perfect excuse. History is being made — and the tickets are only .
Source: El Mercurio
