Our Impact
Since 2012, the Dudamel Foundation has played a unique role in mobilizing young musicians from across the globe.
Gustavo with members of YOLA and Mexican students from Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes y Literatura at Los Pinos in Mexico City, November 2019.
A belief in global unity and the pursuit of social justice are central to our mission: to expand access to music and the arts for young people by providing tools and opportunities to shape their creative futures.
Our mission aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals to achieve a better more sustainable future for all. We believe that music inspires young leaders to build a better and more sustainable world.
Dudamel Foundation co-chairs Gustavo Dudamel and María Valverde at the launch of “Symphony” in Madrid, December 21, 2020. Photo courtesy of the la Caixa Foundation.
Gustavo conducts the Orquesta del Encuentros con Dudamel in the Palacio de Bellas Artes, 2018.
Transformative Experiences
The core of our work is in creating transformative performance and travel opportunities for young people on major stages across the world.
“The opportunities that Gustavo and María build for young musicians through the Dudamel Foundation are extraordinary.”
The Orquesta del Encuentros, Madrid, Spain, June 2021. © Samantha López.
We call these experiences “Encuentros”, uniting young musicians, families, friends, and communities to join our humanitarian vision for the world — on stage, in harmony, making beautiful music together.
The Orquesta del Encuentro on stage at Auditorio Alfredo Kraus, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain. Photo: © Samantha López, 2021.
Leandro Lapasta (Uruguay) hugs Francisco Ramírez Brizio (Argentina) after the final concert of the Encuentros España tour. Photo: © Samantha López, 2021.
Together we can change lives.
Ayelén Lobato Ferraro (Argentina). Photo: © Samantha López, 2021.
“The most important thing I learned is that the greatest artists are also the most humble and far from elitist. The only way to keep music alive is by democratizing it and sharing with others everything that we feel for it.
“I have the desire to continue improving every day to be able to bring music to more ears and share my passion with as many people as possible so that music is always a warm hug for everyone and that no one is left out of its beauty and restorative strength.
“I also learned that I have the ability to improve myself. With patience, hard work and love for what one does, anything is possible. Every day I can be better and every day I can share and enjoy music even more."
–Ayelén Lobato Ferraro, 18, viola, Argentina / Encuentros, June 2021
Developed in partnership with local hosts and supported by a global production team, Dudamel Foundation initiatives are guided by the leadership of Gustavo Dudamel and María Valverde in order to create world-class and memorable experiences for everyone.
Some of our partners include…
