Originating in Venezuela in 1975, El Sistema, under the visionary leadership of José Antonio Abreu, pioneered a state-funded music education program. The program was funded not through the ministry of arts and culture, rather the ministry of social services, emphasizing its community centered approach and focus on teaching the whole child. The program provided ensemble based classical music training (which later expanded to many genres, including traditional Venezuelan folk music, jazz, and rock) to all children, regardless of background or ability to pay. El Sistema swiftly gained international acclaim through the success of The Simón Bolívar Youth Orchestra, conducted by Gustavo Dudamel.
