A summer of Encuentros
July 19 – August 6, 2022
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 — from 34 youth orchestras and El Sistema-inspired programs in 23 countries — to work side-by-side in the Encuentros Orchestra (Orquesta del Encuentro), exploring cultural unity and celebrating harmony, equality, dignity, beauty, and respect through music.
The young Encuentros musicians studied and rehearsed intensively for two weeks in preparation for an unforgettable concert at Hollywood Bowl on August 2, 2022 under the baton of conductor Gustavo Dudamel, with guest artist esperanza spalding. The Encuentros Orchestra then traveled to Berkeley, CA for a performance at the William Randolph Hearst Greek Theatre on August 4, 2022, presented by Cal Performances.
This is their journey.
These talented Encuentros musicians were given the chance to work with some of the most incredible artists from the world's top orchestras, including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Berlin Philharmonic, Göteborgs Symfoniker, Vienna Philharmonic, Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra, Opéra National de Paris, and more.
I was marked by the phrase that they told us the first day: 'it doesn't matter what language you speak, nor does it matter the differences of cultures we have, if we are all here it is because the same thing unites each one of us, and that is music'. I returned to my country with more confidence in myself, as a person and as a musician, than when I left."
– Katherine Maria Paredes Frias, 21, Dominican Republic, Viola
An inspiring atmosphere: Walt Disney Concert Hall.
At the first moment we met, I could feel connected with all the great energy that all the people had, and this was reflected with the rehearsals, when listening to the indications or stories of Maestro Dudamel, I noticed that we all had a great capacity to carry out everything we asked for, it was amazing."
– Federico Gallón Tobón, 22, Colombia, Violin
Thank you to all of our wonderful Encuentros teachers!
The teachers with whom we worked are fantastic, of the highest level, and that undoubtedly motivates all of us to continue studying and continue pursuing our dreams. Without a doubt, what I take away the most is that they emphasized that we have to fight and pursue our dreams and that only we set the limits. "
–Esteban Orozco Muñoz, 26, Colombia, Flute
Throughout Encuentros, the young musicians met with Dr. Habib Sadeghi and Dr. Sherry Sami to learn tools for creating an inner space where they can become the best versions of themselves. María Valverde shared her expertise on stretching and breathing to tune the body and mind. ❤️
Founded by Dr. Habib Sadeghi & Dr. Sherry Sami, the Love Button Global Movement is a non-profit organization that promotes a culture of love by inspiring our human family to act with loving kindness in our daily lives. Wear the Love Button to show you believe in love and its power to transform our world. Love Button supports educational and humanitarian programs that empower individuals and uplift communities locally and globally.
The post-pandemic period was a very difficult time and at many times I felt discouraged. Having participated in the Encuentros was like rekindling a flame that was going out. It gave me the strength I needed to move forward and continue the path in search of my dreams, and gave me the mission to share with my local community the musical and non-musical beauties that I was able to learn from this experience. The coaching sessions with Doctors Habib and Sherry were very important for me because they made me understand another very important facet of the human aspect that we must know and try to develop in order to be better people and also better musicians."
– Raphael de Souza Elias, 24, Brazil, Trumpet
I learned to let go of my fears and trust myself more. How beautiful it is to make music when we are mentally and spiritually aligned, the result is on another level. I never thought in my life to be able to fulfill so many dreams in two and a half weeks."
– Victor David Aburto Balladares, 23, Perú, Trumpet
Dudamel and Valverde lead the Encuentros Festival
"The fruits of the dream of master José Antonio Abreu seem to be infinite. The seed that he sowed with the creation of El Sistema continues to germinate around the world after 47 years and there are many examples of this. One of them is the celebration of the Encuentros Festival."
An inspiring Encounter at Beckmen YOLA Center
Over 300 students from the Encuentros Orchestra and YOLA National Festival (ages 12-18) gathered at the Beckmen YOLA Center in Inglewood, CA, a building designed by architect Frank Gehry for YOLA (Youth Orchestra LA), to perform chamber music, engage in conversations about art and music, and exchange thoughts and ideas.
There are many programs to learn how to make music, but to be better people and better musicians for our society, very few and this is definitely one of them. The scheduled activities were like a sequence of activities that led us step by step to build a result that went beyond the musical. The diversity of the orchestra was something that I really liked. I met people from many places, from different processes and ages, that is very valuable."
– Gloria Andrea Ramirez Fernandez, 25, Colombia, Trombone
Andrés David Ascanio conducts brass players from the Encuentros Orchestra and the YOLA National Festival
We are forever grateful to our dear friends Judith and Thomas L. Beckmen for generously supporting Encuentros, and for opening educational opportunities for young musicians everywhere.
It was my first time outside my country, so it has been a great experience to play with musicians from other countries, make new friends, get to know famous places in Los Angeles and have met the monitors and the director who have given us a lot of knowledge. I learned that an orchestra is a family, so it is necessary to get to know each other to form ties and thus making music becomes more comfortable and one feels confident."
– María Esther Eluchans Olivares, 21, Chile, Violin
And a stop at the Griffith Observatory! 💫🔭
Chumash Values by Mati Waiya: The Children
A child's mind is like a 'crystal', which contains strength and power, if you discover how to use it.
When children experience the natural environment a seed is planted in their minds of their natural role. Nature will introduce them to their responsibility for it in the future. Nature teaches us. The children need to be able to develop a relationship with nature so they can experience the profound knowledge that exists with in it and become aware of their interconnection.
There are many paths from which to choose. We need to put the children on the right path, without influencing them with current beliefs that are harming us, our wildlife and our planet.
Commentary: How Gustavo Dudamel is preparing 106 musicians from 22 countries for a monumental Bowl debut
First moments at the Hollywood Bowl!
I loved the fact that the organization was so wonderful to us and made sure that we had the best experience possible in America, with the chance to go to the beach, to a sunset cinema, and what a concert with the LA Phil at THE HOLLYWOOD BOWL!!!!!!!!"
–Mariana Vilela, 21, Portugal, Violin
My favorite part of the entire experience was a memorable moment when we were rehearsing in the Hollywood Bowl, whilst the string quartet part of the Dvorak, there were two birds in the rooftop part of the bowl who were chirping to the music. Being there, on the stage with 18,000 empty seats in front of me, I felt at peace and that we were truly making music."
– Melissa Percilla, 19, United States, Violin
That we are so many young people with the same interests but different realities that we have the opportunity to share such an impressive experience and that it was surely a dream come true for all of us."
– Lola Deambrosio, 22, Uruguay, Cello
Showtime!
The moment when music takes you over...
I learned that music has no borders, that it unites people and that it is also limitless. I learned that it is to work hand in hand with the greats, to make high-level music while making friends for the rest of life, that beyond the score there is a big world in music such as mentoring and management and that it is important learn from each of those things."
–Eliana Arango, 26, Colombia, Clarinet
Since the first day, I have not stopped smiling. I have made great friends, and I have discovered how much I love orchestral music. For me, playing at the Hollywood Bowl was a dream come true. I always saw videos of my favorite artists performing there and living it has been amazing."
–Ana Molina Touza, 19, Spain, Violin
Celebrating an unforgettable performance!
The last concert was the amalgamation of the entire orchestra's combined effort to put on a final show for an audience. The concert was the realization that Encuentros is finally ending and the last congratulations for all of the hard work that the orchestra put into the music."
–Skyler Lee, 19, United States, Bass
‘Like one body’: Young musicians from 22 countries inspire at UC Berkeley’s Greek Theatre
"Between clapping along to the D’Addona piece and marveling at the sheer vigor in which the orchestra, breathing and moving as one creature, attacked the final movement of Dvorak’s Ninth, I know that I, at the very least, came away with a renewed sense of hope in the future of classical music."
For me it was a moment that defined my career as a musician, and I know that after this meeting I have not been the same, I see everything differently. I see music differently, my future, my critical thinking, the Americas in general, among many other things. If I had to define this in one word, that word would be: transcendental."
– Ricardo A Ferrer Ferrer, 23, Puerto Rico, Percussion & Timpani
I treasure every moment, every word, every laugh, even the small mistakes that served to improve. They are memories that I will always carry with me and I will pass on with joy and humility what I have learned during this experience with other musicians in my community. It can be understood both for life and for music, each little note has a reason for being."
– Alejandra Valentina Pino Villafranca, 20, Perú, Violin
I have learned about music in many ways, I have learned how to be a better person, how to be a better member of society, I have learned how I can help and contribute to my environment from music and what I learn from it. I have learned not to limit myself in growth and I have learned to trust and believe in myself. The humanity with which each one of us was treated, since all the staff and teachers gave their best so that the experience marked a before and after in our lives.
–Estefania Tezanos Pinto Pereyra, 24, Colombia, Cello
2022 Orquesta del Encuentro
Thank you to our sponsors and collaborative partners!
Photo credits: Maria Evelyn.
Credits:
Maria Evelyn