World-renowned conductor Gustavo Dudamel (pictured) will hold a charity concert for his earthquake-stricken homeland of Venezuela.
According to local Venezuelan media on the 9th, Dudamel, principal conductor of the New York Philharmonic, will hold a "Concert for Venezuela" with the LA Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles on the 23rd of next month. The funds raised through the concert will be delivered to local earthquake victims in Venezuela through channels including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Dudamel is a maestro from the slums of Venezuela. He developed his talent through "El Sistema," an arts education program for low-income Venezuelans, and made his name by winning the Gustav Mahler Conducting Competition held in Germany in 2004.
Dudamel wrote on Instagram, "Venezuela will always be my home, and my heart is always with the families whose lives have been forever changed by this tragedy," adding that he "will help my homeland heal and rebuild through music, generosity and hope."
Meanwhile, Venezuela is reported to have suffered thousands of deaths and more than 17,000 people displaced from a series of earthquakes that occurred last month.
