An Update from the Abreu Fellows
An update from Alvaro Rodas, Abreu Fellow -
It already feels like a lot of time has passed, but we got back from our 2-month visit in Venezuela only 3 weeks ago. The visit, which was the most eagerly anticipated part of the Abreu Fellows Program, took us to over 60 youth orchestra centers (known as “nucleos”) all over the country. What an amazing experience for all of us!
But now back in the U.S. our first task was to reflect on our individual and group experiences in Venezuela and prepare to present them in Los Angeles on May 7th at symposium called “Composing Change: YOLA [Youth Orchestra Los Angeles] and the El Sistema Movement.” The Los Angeles Philharmonic organized this gathering in collaboration with the League of American Orchestras and El Sistema USA/Abreu Fellows Program. Over 250 delegates from youth and professional orchestras, as well as other community organizations came from 26 states and 6 countries.
Our presentation in the symposium included the most relevant and inspiring ideas that we are bringing back to the United States: Ideas of access, community, connectedness, intensity and passion, playing and striving (tocar y luchar). Our reflections were warmly received (we felt overwhelmed by a standing ovation!), and helped to give a deeper meaning to other demonstrations in the symposium, the most important being an open rehearsal of the Youth Orchestra Los Angeles (YOLA), conducted by none other than Gustavo Dudamel.
Right after the symposium, we are in the last stretch of the Abreu Fellows Program: a 3-week internship to work with new El Sistema projects in the U.S. and beyond. These internships take Dantes Rameau to Atlanta, Stanford Thompson to Chicago, Katie Wyatt to New York City, Rebecca Levi, David Malek and Christine Witkowski to Los Angeles, Jonathan Govias to Cleveland, Alvaro Rodas to San Antonio and Lorrie Heagy to Scotland.
After experiencing the response at the symposium and the enthusiastic welcome to the fellows in their internships, we feel more committed than ever before to the growth of this movement.
Click here for a recent feature on the fellows program in Symphony Magazine.
You were all brilliant and such an inspiration for those of us beginning our own programs throughout the country. Aloha, Louise
Very happy to hear about your progress and evolution. Some people have good heart, great ideas and philosophy. So do Mr. Abreu and his team. When they put it all into helping others, it can only become a powerful example for our childs and ourselves to look up to.
Congrats, and keep up the good work :)