Jhoanna Sierralta [23] was thirteen when she began to play the viola at the Conservatorio Simón Bolívar, one of many „núcleos” in the „sistema”. In 2005 she successfully applied to join the Simón Bolívar National Youth Orchestra. She lives in Caracas with her brothers and sisters and their mother. She is the only musician in her family. Jhoanna would very much like to remain in Venezuela and support „El Sistema” by handing on her knowledge to future generations.

Diego [22] was nine when he started to play the violin. Like Gustavo Dudamel, he comes from Barquisimeto, where he received his first music lessons. He has devoted himself exclusively to music from the age of fifteen. Two years ago he took up conducting in addition to the violin, so that Gustavo Dudamel is not only a good friend but also a great role model for him. He hopes that he will be able to remain in the orchestra for a long time to come but that he may also have an opportunity to conduct. Diego shares a house in Caracas with four other violinists, all of whom play in the Simón Bolívar National Youth Orchestra.