Throughout Gustavo Dudamel’s 15 years with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, his impact on the city’s—and classical music’s—audience has been transformational.

From starting a youth orchestra to performing at the Super Bowl to building friendships with global superstars like Billie Eilish, Coldplay’s Chris Martin, and actor Bradley Cooper, his efforts are not only bridging the gap between the classical and mainstream worlds but are inviting more people to experience the joy of music in new ways.

“He is a great leader in that he knows where he wants to take you,” says LA Phil Chief Content Officer Meghan Umber, “but he finds a way to do that by really being a collaborator.”

As the end of his tenure in LA draws nearer, Billboard followed along with Dudamel at the Hollywood Bowl, revealing his approach to music, conducting, community, and thoughts on his next chapter as Music Director for the New York Philharmonic starting in 2026.

Hear from the LA Phil’s President & CEO Kim Noltemy, Associate Concertmaster Bing Wang, YOLA (Youth Orchestra Los Angeles) students, and more as they give us an inside look at the real Gustavo Dudamel.

Read the full story at Billboard.com.