Mexican Government Honors Enrico Lopez-Yañez

In anticipation of Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15-Oct.15) and Mexican Independence Day (Sept. 16), Pacific Symphony’s Principal Pops Conductor, Enrico Lopez-Yañez was honored this week to accept the “Mexicanos Distinguidos” silver medal and diploma from Atlanta-based Mexican Consul General Javier Díaz de León.

The “Mexicanos Distinguidos” (“Distinguished Mexicans”) Award recognizes citizens who have lived abroad for at least five years consecutively and who stand out for their extraordinary professional trajectory, social responsibility, peer recognition, and commitment to promote the image of Mexico.

Enrico López-Yañez is the newly appointed Principal Pops Conductor of the Pacific Symphony, a title which he also holds at the Nashville Symphony. He is quickly establishing himself as one of the nation’s leading conductors of popular music and is becoming known for his unique style of audience engagement. In his six seasons working with the Nashville Symphony, Lopez-Yañez has curated the Pops Series and special concerts with a broad spectrum of artists including: Nas, Patti LaBelle, Itzhak Perlman, Stewart Copeland, Kenny Loggins, Toby Keith, Trisha Yearwood, Kelsea Ballerini, Leslie Odom Jr., Megan Hilty, Tituss Burgess, Hanson, Kenny G, and more.

For Pacific Symphony’s 45th anniversary season, Lopez-Yañez has curated an exciting inaugural pops season featuring seven not-to-be-missed concerts including music from the movies, Broadway, festive holiday cheer, classic rock, and Latin flair—all enhanced by the “Hollywood” sound of the orchestra. His first concert will be “The Music of Star Wars” (Nov. 3-4).