From Venezuela to Tucson: Maestro José Luis Gómez conquers the symphonic world

Versión en español

TUCSON – For decades, concert halls in the United States have welcomed an extraordinary generation of Venezuelan conductors trained in El Sistema. Among them is Maestro José Luis Gómez, music director of the Tucson Symphony Orchestra (TSO) since 2016, who continues to forge a path in the symphonic world while leaving a lasting mark on the Southwest.

Since his arrival, Gómez has found Tucson to be a different, almost unexpected, place. Despite having seen much of the world and working as a guest conductor in several U.S. cities, Tucson has offered him what few cities provide: authenticity.

“I have to admit that Tucson is a small oasis amidst the tumult of situations happening not only in the U.S., but in the world in general. Here, there is an inclusion that feels genuine. It is a city that opens its arms beyond race, gender, skin color and even language. This diversity is respected, and my experience has been very positive,” he shared in an interview with CALÓ News.

For Gómez, dedicating himself to music also implies a commitment to the communities he serves.

“It’s important that, through art, we try to alleviate differences and unite as much as possible,” he said.

The maestro was born in Maracaibo, into a family where music was a part of everyday life. His father, Eulogio Gómez — a professional Spanish flutist who emigrated to Venezuela in 1958 — was a founding member of the Maracaibo Symphony Orchestra and a professor within the National System of Youth and Children’s Orchestras.

His passion for music began at an early age. He first picked up the violin at the age of five, an instrument that would mark his path. At 11, he was already the youngest concertmaster in his regional orchestra, and at 20, he obtained a position as an associate violinist in Spain.

Being a Spanish citizen through his father also allowed him to develop professionally in Europe.

Orchestral conducting, he recalls, was always present in his life, ever since his childhood, when he was part of the youth orchestra. “I didn’t find moving my hands so interesting; I liked playing the violin more,” he shared with a smile.

In the late 1970s, Maestro José Antonio Abreu created El Sistema, a training program that transformed the Venezuelan cultural landscape. According to Gómez, the presence of so many Venezuelans on the international stage is precisely due to that training.

“Many of us — Gustavo Dudamel, Domingo Hindoyan, Rafael Payare and I — grew up within that unique opportunity: not only having access to quality conservatories, but also receiving top-level orchestral training,” he explained. “That makes you a good musician, but it also sparks the curiosity to become an orchestra conductor. That's why that coincidence exists.”

Today, several graduates of El Sistema lead orchestras across the United States, including Gómez, who recently extended his contract with the Tucson Symphony Orchestra until 2030 and continues captivating audiences with his talent and charisma. Other notable figures include Eduardo Marturet, music director and CEO of the Miami Symphony Orchestra (MISO); Gustavo Dudamel, music and artistic director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic; Domingo Hindoyan, music director of LA Opera; and Rafael Payare, music director of the San Diego Symphony Orchestra.

From Europe to the United States

Over time, the curiosity that had accompanied him throughout his life led him to participate in an international orchestral conducting competition in Frankfurt, Germany. Winning it catapulted him onto the international stage. Gómez explained that this victory was, in many ways, his actual “graduation” and the moment that entirely placed him on the global scene.

After the competition, he was hired as assistant conductor of the Frankfurt Symphony Orchestra, where the principal conductor became his mentor. He soon found an artistic manager who guided him to conduct various orchestras, further expanding his reach.

At the beginning, much of his career unfolded in Germany. Later, he was appointed music director of the Teatro Sociale di Como in Italy, where his innovative community project, 200.com, earned him the Città di Como Award.

According to Gómez, his artistic manager sparked his interest in exploring the U.S. market as a professional opportunity.

“The U.S. market is quite interesting, especially for a Spanish speaker, for Latino representation,” he explained. “There’s a significant need for Hispanic representation in all artistic fields, and in music, Hispanic representation is important, and there’s a lot of curiosity.”

Gómez first came to Tucson in 2014 as a guest conductor, and that experience changed the course of his career.

“For a musical director, beyond the location, what matters is the relationship with the institution and whether its values ​​align with what you need for your career. The TSO offers enormous potential, both artistic and in a human aspect. I saw a project in which I could invest and grow alongside them,” he said.

And Tucson embraced him in return.

“It’s a vibrant city, with constant cultural activity. It welcomes you with a positive attitude and open arms. Its proximity to Mexico gives it a very positive feel, and that made me feel even more connected to the community,” he said.

The maestro's official residence is in Spain, but when he returns to Tucson, he settles into the heart of the city. He enjoys exploring it by bicycle, walking through Barrio Viejo, listening to music on the Rio Alto or passing by the historic Hotel Congress. He also appreciates how easy it is to find Harina PAN (flour) to prepare Venezuelan food with his musicians, including the concertmaster, who is also Venezuelan.

Regarding what music means in his life, he described it with the same passion with which he conducts.

“Music is my life. It's not a job; it's like the air you breathe when you wake up,” he asserted. “The process of working with music is energizing, but even more so when you can transmit it to other people. In a concert, we are catalysts for emotions, for works written by others, for an audience that wants to enjoy them. Music is magic, something as indescribable as the sunlight at dawn.”

To the new generations: curiosity and courage

Gómez offered heartfelt advice for young musicians and artists.

“The important thing is to enjoy what you do and not be afraid to try and experiment. Curiosity is one of the most valuable human qualities, though we sometimes lose it because it makes us feel vulnerable. In art, curiosity is essential. You can make mistakes, correct them, learn. If this is what you want, do it well, enjoy it, and dare to try,” he concluded.

For classical music lovers, Tucson ends the year with a concert series and holiday performances. 

The season opens Dec. 5, at the Linda Ronstadt Music Hall with a special presentation, “Underscore: Shostakovich’s Fifth Symphony.” The celebration continues with “Holidays in Tucson,” “Ballet Tucson: The Nutcracker,” and “The Messiah” at Catalina Foothills High School.

For more information, visit tucsonsymphony.org/events.