Gustavo Dudamel

Famed conductor Gustavo Dudamel was born and raised in Venezuela, learning to play the violin at age 10. After studying with multiple Venezuelan masters, Dudamel was appointed music director of the country's national youth orchestra, which toured worldwide. In 2004, he won the esteemed Gustav Mahler Conducting Prize and began to develop a reputation as notable conductors took notice of his contagious energy and natural control over an orchestra. By the age of 30, Dudamel had become the Principal conductor for the Gothenburg Symphony and Los Angeles Philharmonic, had a recording contract with Deutsche Grammophon, had been featured in multiple documentaries and 60 Minutes specials for his philanthropy work with children and had been listed by Time Magazine as one of the "Top 100 Influential People."