As one of the few Latina composers in a male dominated field, Gabriela regularly incorporates Latin American art, poetry, and folk music into western classical forms that reflect her Peruvian- Jewish-Chinese heritage. She shares her love of music with the community as a performer and teacher, traveling throughout the United States and Latin America. Born with a moderate-to-profound neurosensory hearing loss that was not detected until she was in kindergarten, Gabriela was recently recognized by the American Academy of Arts and Letters and hailed as representing "the next generation of American composers." Gabriela Lena Frank's musical influences come from her own polyglot background. Her mother is Peruvian, her father is descended from Lithuanian Jews, and she grew up in Berkeley, California. Her parents met when her father was a Peace Corps worker in Peru in the 1960s.
Hispanic Scholarship Fund inducts Gabriela Lena Frank Into Its Prestigious Alumni Hall of Fame
Hispanic Scholarship Fund to Induct Five Exemplary Latinos Into Its Prestigious Alumni Hall of Fame
Accomplished professionals honored at annual event to inspire Hispanic youth
Last update: 11:26 a.m. EDT Sept. 2, 2008
WASHINGTON, Sept 02, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Five extraordinary Latinos will be inducted into the Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF) Alumni Hall of Fame at its seventh annual gala September 17, 2008 at the Pierre Hotel in New York City. They will join a select group of Latino professionals who have been recognized for their personal achievements, contributions and service to America, including former Surgeon General Richard Carmona, U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Tony Garza and Time Warner Vice President Lisa Quiroz.
This year's inductees include an educator whose work goes beyond the classroom; a leader in education, community involvement and philanthropy; a Cuban immigrant who became President & CEO of a leading telecommunications company; a recognized researcher in drug safety; and an acclaimed pianist who performs and composes Latin Classical music.
HSF, the nation's preeminent organization supporting Latino higher education, aims to inspire future generations of Latino college graduates by honoring Latinos who have excelled in their fields. The HSF Alumni Hall of Fame was created in 2002 to honor Hispanics who demonstrate the power of higher education and to highlight how attaining a college degree can change individual lives and society as a whole for the better. The honorees' lifetime challenges and subsequent accomplishments illustrate the possibilities unleashed through higher education and personify the mission and values of HSF.
Each year, HSF selects four outstanding HSF alumni who were aided by an HSF scholarship while in college. A fifth individual, while not a former HSF Scholar, is selected for his or her success and excellence. Awards are given in five categories (translated from Spanish): The Optimist, The Humanitarian, The Victor, The Motivator, and The Rising Star.
This year's awards and respective inductees, representing achievements in the medical, academic, corporate and public policy fields, will go to:
[Excerpt]
-- The Brillante, Gabriela Lena Frank, Composer and Pianist in Latin Classical Music, Berkeley, CA. Gabriela is a world-renowned pianist and composer. As one of the few Latina composers in a male dominated field, Gabriela regularly incorporates Latin American art, poetry, and folk music into western classical forms that reflect her Peruvian- Jewish-Chinese heritage. She shares her love of music with the community as a performer and teacher, traveling throughout the United States and Latin America. Born with a moderate-to-profound neurosensory hearing loss that was not detected until she was in kindergarten, Gabriela was recently recognized by the American Academy of Arts and Letters and hailed as representing "the next generation of American composers."
"We are proud to honor these inductees because they personify the mission and values of HSF," said Frank D. Alvarez, HSF President & CEO. "They are an inspiration to aspiring Latinos everywhere. Their success stories are testimony to the impact of higher education and the tremendous difference it makes in a life."
Alvarez said the inductees serve as positive role models for Latino students, which is a trademark of previous HSF Alumni Hall of Fame honorees. "Annually, the inspiring stories of HSF's inductees put a face on our work and demonstrate the power of higher education," he said.
About the Hispanic Scholarship Fund
Founded in 1975 as a not-for-profit, the Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF) is the nation's preeminent Latino scholarship organization, providing the Latino community more college scholarships and educational outreach support than any other organization in the country. During the 2007-2008 academic year, HSF awarded nearly 4,100 scholarships exceeding $26.8 million. In its 33-year history, HSF has awarded in excess of 86,000 scholarships, worth more than $247 million, to Latinos attending nearly 2,000 colleges and universities in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands. For more information about HSF, please visit: http://WWW.HSF.NET.
SOURCE Hispanic Scholarship Fund
