Educating Young Musicians
to become Global Leaders

We believe that access to music is a fundamental human right, and that music encourages focus and discipline, respect for others, a spirit of collaboration, and the kind of values that make us all better global citizens and promote social justice. Through the Dudamel Foundation programs, we use music education to inspire today’s youth to become the global leaders of tomorrow.

“It was an experience full of work, dedication, determination in all possible details, and friendships without borders.”
— Jessica Contreras Segura, 22, violin, Mexico

Encuentros

A champion of the belief in music's power to unite and inspire, Gustavo created the idea of Encuentros (English: “encounters”) in 2018 through his Foundation as a way to explore cultural unity and celebrate harmony, equality, dignity, beauty, and respect through music. Click below to learn more about each Encuentros journey.

Peralada Festival

In August 2019, Gustavo and the Foundation collaborated with the Mahler Chamber Orchestra to educate 41 Dudamel Foundation Artists through guided mentorship and performance with the goal of encouraging intercontinental dialogue through music. Students from Venezuela, Sweden, Spain, Argentina, France, Hong Kong, Japan, Norway, South Korea, Colombia, and the United States alongside their teachers from the Mahler Chamber Orchestra represented citizens of 22 countries across 5 continents.

A Mi Maestro

The global music community came together in solidarity with Gustavo to celebrate the life and legacy of Maestro José Antonio Abreu and his vision the role of the arts as a force for social change — in Latin America and around the world. Gustavo, together with an “all-star” orchestra of world-class musicians from European and American orchestras, traveled to Santiago, Chile June 25–29, 2018 to perform two special “A mi Maestro” homage concerts. This was the first time in the history of Latin America such an international ensemble joined with young people from South America for a musical and pedagogical project building bridges and uniting cultures.

Related News

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Euronews: Orchestra conductor Gustavo Dudamel inspires a new generation
Euronews: Orchestra conductor Gustavo Dudamel inspires a new generation

World-renowned conductor Gustavo Dudamel grew up in Venezuela and it was thanks to a program to help children progress that he became a superstar in the world of classical music. Thanks to a scholarship from his native Venezuela, conductor Gustavo Dudamel was able to work his way up to becoming a superstar in the world of classical music. Now he passes on his energy and enthusiasm to a new generation.

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Diario de viaje: Encuentros LA 2022
Diario de viaje: Encuentros LA 2022

View the Encuentros 2022 journey. In honor of the Hollywood Bowl’s first 100 seasons, the LA Phil and Dudamel Foundation partnered up to bring over 100 top-tier young musicians from around the world to work side-by-side in the Encuentros Orchestra, exploring cultural unity and celebrating harmony, equality, dignity, beauty, and respect through music.

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Los Angeles Times: How Gustavo Dudamel is preparing 106 musicians from 22 countries for a monumental Bowl debut
Los Angeles Times: How Gustavo Dudamel is preparing 106 musicians from 22 countries for a monumental Bowl debut

“I tell them, look, when you are walking on the street,” he explains, “you are normal people like everybody else. But you cannot imagine the power you have in your hands when you take an instrument and you play. You can transform the feeling of that person. People cry. People laugh. You are magicians.”

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