Abimael Melendez

Venezuelan conductor Abimael Meléndez is a visionary music educator and artist dedicated to
transforming lives through the power of music. A product of Venezuela’s renowned El Sistema,
he developed a lifelong passion for musical excellence and accessibility, which continues to
define his international career.

A graduate of the Longy School of Music of Bard College, Abimael has refined his craft
through workshops and masterclasses with distinguished conductors including Adrian Gnam
Diane Wittry, Gary Lewis, Gregory Pritchard, Eduardo Portal, David Itkin, Mark
Shapiro, Silas Nathaniel, Phillip Greenberg and Nicholas Baker. In recent seasons, he has
participated in leading programs such as the Texas New Music Festival 2025 (Houston), where
he premiered works by contemporary composers, the Houston Conducting Academy with
Nicholas Baker, the 35th International Conductors Workshop & Competition (Atlanta),
and the University of North Texas and Northern Illinois University Conducting Workshops.
In 2023 and 2024, Abimael returned to Venezuela to conduct various El Sistema youth
orchestras, reaffirming his strong ties to the program that shaped his career and expanding his
artistic presence internationally.

Recognized for his leadership and artistry, Abimael was awarded First Prize in Conducting at
the Vivaldi International Music Competition (2023) and the Absolutely First Prize at the World
Grand Prix International Music Contest (2023). His dedication to music education and
community engagement was also honored in the Anchorage Museum’s “Our Footprint”
exhibition, highlighting his contributions to the Latino arts community.
Through conducting, teaching, and mentorship, Abimael Meléndez continues to inspire the next
generation of musicians while championing music as a powerful force for social transformation.