José Antonio Abreu

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José Antonio Abreu
Born May 7, 1939
Valera, Venezuela

José Antonio Abreu was born in Valera, (Trujillo State), Venezuela, May 7, 1939

He initiated his musical studies with Doralisa Jiménez de Medina in Barquisimeto, (Lara State), he entered to the Caracas Musical Declamation Academy (today "José Ángel Lamas")in 1957, where he studied piano with Moisés Moleiro, Organ (music) and Key (instrument), with Evencio Castellanos and composition with Vicente Emilio Sojo.

Jose Antonio Abreu obtained a Ph.D. in petroleum economics in the Universidad Andrés Bello in 1961, he also studied in the Michigan University, was delegated to the Venezuelan congress and Professor of the economy and right faculties of the Universidad Andrés Bello and the Universidad Simón Bolívar.

In 1967 he received the National prize of symphonic music, and in 1979 the National Music Prize.

Founder and Director of the "National Network of Youth and Children Orchestras of Venezuela" (1975) Composer, organist, pianist, harpsichordist and music professor M. José Antonio Abreu was a Minister of Culture in 1983 He created a network based in Venezuela consisting of 102 youth and 55 children orchestras numbering approximately 100,000 youngsters. This project was named "Social Action for Music" and is under the supervision of the Venezuelan

Ministry of Family, Health and Sports. He uses the art of music for the protection of childhood through training, rehabilitation and prevention. It represents a creative tool contributing to social integration and the development of tight communities

Exchange and co-operation programmes with Spain, Latin American countries and the United States His orchestras have received UNESCO's International Prize of Music (1993-1995)

Appointed Special Ambassador for the development of a Global Network of Youth and Children orchestras and choirs in 1995

Appointed Special Representative for the development of network of orchestras within the framework of UNESCO's "World Movement of Youth and Children Orchestras and Choirs". This project was created in the context of an inter-disciplinary project "Towards a Culture of Peace". He co-ordinates the programme through the UNESCO office in Caracas.

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