About

Raúl Alfonso Parra Sanz (b. 2004) is a Venezuelan Composer, Songwriter, and Multi-instrumentalist who focuses on making music that implements his heritage in new and innovative ways. Parra has a deep passion for folkloric, popular and unconventional music from across the globe and often implements aspects of these styles into his writing, finding value from thoughtfully contrasting different musical cultures with his Venezuelan background to create fresh ideas unique to his works.

Their music has been performed across national and international associations in the U.S. such as the National Flute Association, the International Double Reed Society and the Southeast/Midsouth Horn Workshop; His first EP, Color (2025), has been broadcasted in the U.K. by the radio station Frome FM. Parra often participates in the performance of his works, including performing alongside Jazz Flautist Nestor Torres in the premiere of Trescientas Cincuenta Mil (2025) and Llanero Harpist Nicolás Castañeda in the premier of Hombre Burro (2025).

Parra began playing the flute at an early age in the Venezuelan school and conservatory, Colegio Emil Friedman. He would later immigrate to the United States in 2017 where he would find a revitalized passion for music. He now holds a bachelor’s degree in music composition from Florida State University, and is pursuing a master’s degree in music composition from Michigan State University. He has been mentored in composition by Clifton Callender, studied flute under Karen Large, Mary Matthews & Pamela Bereuter and harp under Noël Wan & Nicolás Castañeda. He also plays the Venezuelan Cuatro.