LA Phil’s Dudamel on finding ways to keep the music going

“There are many reasons why you would recognize Gustavo Dudamel’s name. The Venezuelan wunderkind is the Music and Artistic Director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic [and] at 18, he was appointed the Music Director of the Orquesta Sinfónica Simón Bolívar de Venezuela,” reports Alejandra Salazar in Friday’s (2/26) Latino USA. “He is founder of the Youth Orchestra Los Angeles—a local youth music program modeled after El Sistema—and the head of his own charity, the Gustavo Dudamel Foundation, which promotes arts education opportunities. Dudamel’s work has catapulted him into pop-culture fame [with] appearances in Sesame Street, The Simpsons, Mozart in the Jungle, and Trolls World Tour. The conductor recently signed on to continue heading the LA Phil through the 2025/2026 season. But most immediately, Dudamel … found himself needing to adapt his work to at-home limitations brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. The moment speaks to Dudamel’s personal philosophy of finding creative ways to keep the music playing, all while stressing the importance of staying in touch with his roots. In a conversation with Latino USA, Dudamel talks about staying indoors, calling family home, and his unwavering belief that music will inspire a stronger future for all.”