Arlette Romero, 11, center, plays her violin during a rehearsal for the YOLA Expo Center Youth Orchestra’s debut at the Hollywood Bowl as part of the “¡Bienvenido Gustavo!” concert. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)
The young performers arrive at the Bowl for rehearsals. The YOLA orchestra performed an abbreviated version of “Ode to Joy” under the direction of Gustavo Dudamel during the “¡Bienvenido Gustavo!” concert; the event marked Dudamel’s first performance as music director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)
Orchestra members surround Dudamel for pictures and autographs during a break in rehearsals. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)
Gustavo Dudamel rehearses with members of YOLA, the L.A. Philharmonic’s effort to establish youth orchestras in underserved areas of the city. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)
Dudamel, left, wishes Daniel Gonzalez, 15, a happy birthday during a break in rehearsals. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)
Members of the brass section include Daniel Gonzalez, 15, left, and Gersan Osorio, 11. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)
Dudamel conducts the youth orchestra, which is modeled after El Sistema, the Venezuelan music education program that fostered Dudamel. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)
Dudamel is surrounded by some of the young musicians. The kids practiced for months before their Hollywood Bowl debut Saturday. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)
The L.A. Phil’s new music director tells his young players how he wants a piece of music performed. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)
The string section practices its bowing. “It can be hard to hold it and stay in tune,” one young violinist says. “But I like how you can express yourself just by playing a few notes. And it’s fun. Lots of fun.” (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)
Dudamel poses for a photo with some of the YOLA orchestra members. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)
