With arms waving and hair bouncing, Gustavo Dudamel excites crowds with his unique conducting style. Children, young people and adults all respond to his energy and enthusiasm. As a result, Dudamel is doing something others before him have been unable to do. He’s making classical music cool.
His early years
The 29-year-old conductor was born in Barquisimeto, Venezuela, on January 26, 1981. His parents, who are both musicians, began teaching Dudamel about music before he could talk. He was a willing student. While Dudamel was still quite little, Dudamel's mother gave him a set of toy soldiers. But instead of preparing them for battle, the young boy arranged them into an orchestra. Then he began to conduct them. Music clearly was already his passion.
His formal studies began at 5 when Dudamel began studying music in Venezuela's orchestra for children. He started by singing in the chorus but soon began playing the violin. Conducting came at 15. And each new teacher spotted the boy's extraordinary talent. At 17, Dudamel became the music director of the same orchestra he had grown up in. In 2004, he traveled to Germany for a conducting competition where he won first place. One of the judges was Esa-Pekka Salonen, then director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra. With great excitement, Salonen contacted orchestra president Deborah Borda about this amazing young musician. Wasting no time, she booked Dudamel for his U.S. debut. Other invitations also arrived from Israel, Stockholm and London, and Dudamel's life changed forever.
The move to Los Angeles
Borda continued watching Dudamel with interest. Eventually, her orchestra invited him to become its music director following Salonen's retirement. On October 3, 2009, an all-day free event introduced Dudamel to the city. Eighteen thousand people arrived, watching enthusiastically for the trademark smile and flying hair. Dudamel's performance didn't disappoint them, bringing the cheering crowd to its feet repeatedly. Fireworks spelled out his name in the sky as the music world declared its latest star.
More Information
Dudamel's music career began in el Sistema, Venezuela's youth orchestra system. "The System" as it's called in English, is more than a music program, it's a social program, designed to give underprivileged youth an alternative to the temptations and dangers of street life. Now, with Dudamel leading the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, there are plans to have a "System" up and running in Southern California in a few years.
Grammar
Wasting no time, she booked Gustavo for his U.S. debut.
wasting no time=right away, immediately.
There is not thing wrong if you use "right away" or "immediately" but if using "wasting no time" just give readers an expression of how quick it is.
When Jeremy heard that he was hired, he wasted no time in letting his family know.
Pamela was excited about her vacation and wasted no time in getting her tickets booked.
Vocabulary
bounce-上下跳動，蹦蹦跳跳。
*The ping-pong ball bounced off the table.
*The kids bounced on the bed laughing.
*Her school bag bounced up and down as she walked.
conduct-指揮，執行，經營，處理，行爲表現
*Mr. Rush will conduct this orchestra today.指揮
*The research was conducted by a group of top scientists.執行。。一群頂尖的科學家
conductor(n)- 指揮（人）
*When the conductor raised his baton, the audience held their breath.
passion-熱愛，熱情，熱心于某事，熱愛的事物。
*Sean's passion is cooking, which makes him an excellent chef.
*Tennis and golf are Grandfather's lifelong passions. 一生鍾愛的事物。
debut- "t"不發音，首次演出，首次露面。
make one's debut-某人首次演出。
*The dancer made her professional debut in the musical "Cats."
*The famous director made his debut in 1997 with his first feature film.劇情片
retirement-退休 retire
*The popular quarterback announced his retirement after his team won the championship.宣佈退休
*Dave decided to take an early retirement to spend more time with his family.
trademark-商標，此指一個人的特色。
*Diamond gloves are Michael Jackson's trademark.特色
*Julia Roberts gave one of her trademark smiles during the interview. 招牌笑容
Chat Room
conduct (n)- 名詞，重音在前面。行爲，舉止。
The code of conduct.-行爲規範，行爲凖則
conduct- 指揮，執行，經營，處理，行爲表現。
conduct research-執行研究
conduct business-經營生意，作生意。
He conducted himself very well. 他的行爲表現的很好。
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trademark smile- 招牌笑容，獨特的笑容。
trademark -狹義的意思是“商標”，廣義的意思是指一個人或物的特徵，標記。
registered trademark-註冊的商標。
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