Euronews: Orchestra conductor Gustavo Dudamel inspires a new generation

Excerpt by Andrea Büring for Euronews, published March 23, 2023

“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.

“His two-week music leadership program, " Encounters ," brings together more than 100 young musicians from around the world in Los Angeles. All mentors are international musicians recognized around the world.

Trumpet student in the Encuentros program.

Life-saving opportunity

'“Over the years, 100s of young musicians across the Americas, Asia and Europe have participated in Gustavo and wife María Valverde's leadership programme, discovering the power of music for social change.

"The fact that the students come from 22 countries and form one identity on the programme is, I think, one of the most important things," says Dudamel. "These are kids, you know, coming from different backgrounds. And when you get together, the inspiration and the desire gets bigger."

"The first mission is to give them an opportunity to keep believing in music and to keep following their dreams," says Valverde. "And to make this experience a way of living in their communities. So to spread the message."

“Growing up in Venezuela, Gustavo participated in a similar programme: El sistema. A place where social responsibility and musicianship go hand in hand. He would later say that the programme saved his life.

"I believe that these values of working together, having goals in common makes all of the children that are part of El sistema and part of the programmes inspired by El sistema to be better citizens in the world," he says.