José Antonio Abreu was born in Venezuela 1939. His education pursued two tracks: with a Ph.D. in Petroleum Economics in 1961, and in 1964 graduated as Composer and Organist from Venezuela's National Conservatory of Music. By 1969 he was Professor of Economics and Professor of Planning at different universities, and was also Deputy in the Venezuelan Congress. In 1975 he began the work for which he has been most recognized, founding the Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra and the National Youth Symphony Orchestra (NYSO).

The success of NYSO under Abreu's direction led to the establishment of youth orchestras in other Venezuelan States, which has grown into the National System of Children and Youth Orchestras of Venezuela, under the auspices of a State Foundation, FESNOJIV. This now involves 240.000 Venezuelans, grouped in 210 Youth and Children's Orchestras and a network of choirs, with musical training starting from the age of two. The orchestras are based on 96 "orchestral cells" around the country , each with at least one orchestra, and the System also includes workshops were children learn to build and repair instruments, special programs for children with disabilities or learning difficulties, and specialist centers or institutes for phonology, audiovisuals and higher musical education.

Perhaps the most remarkable element about this Orchestral System is that it is explicitly oriented towards the under privileged. It has been described as "a social movement of massive dimensions that works using music as the instrument that makes the social integration of different Venezuelan population groups possible and supports the strata with low income."

The orchestras have had a substantial social impact in the communities in which they are active, legitimizing and promoting music throughout the community and leading to something of a musical and cultural renaissance. Studies have also shown that the young people involved in the orchestras also perform better in other areas of academic and social life.

This unique program of musical education and awakening has attracted much international notice and acclaim. UNESCO awarded FESNOJIV its International Music Award in 1993-94 and in 1998 UNESCO commended it as an outstanding example of poverty reduction. Inspired by this, similar initiatives have been started in other Latin American and Caribbean countries. The Venezuelan National Symphony Children's Orchestra also arose much admiration in Europe, with tours through France, Italy and Germany, performing every year since 1998.

FESNOJIV is a substantial organization with nearly 1.000 staff spread through the 75 "orchestral cells". Abreu has been the Director of the Foundation since its establishment in 1994, before which he was for five years Venezuela' s Minister for Culture and President of its National Council for Culture. In 1998 he received UNESCO's title "Ambassador for Peace".

On December 7, 2001, he received The Right Livelihood Award in Solemn Ceremony carried out in the Swedish Parliament.

On April 27, 2002, at Rimini, Italy, he was granted with the Life and Music Award by the Italian organization Coordinamento Música, due his active role in the diffusion of music, as a complement in the formation of youngsters, and privileging the knowledge of the social value of music.

In July 2002, the New England Music Conservatory in Boston, Massachussets, granted him the Doctorate Honoris Causa in the mention of Doctor of Music. In Venezuela, that same year, the University of Los Andes, Mérida, awarded him a University Distinction. In Addition, the Academy of Mérida made him an Honorary Member.

The Experimental University Francisco de Miranda granted him the Doctorate Honoris Causa in accordance with Resolution No. 1,197 of the University Council, signed and sealed in Santa Ana de Coro on the 25th day of July of 2003.

The Venezuelan World Society of the Future, in formal ceremony carried out in the Simon Bolivar University, awarded him the Futurist Order 2003, for his invaluable and outstanding work in the development of young people, through his project of Youth and Children's Orchestras, which has clearly achieved a significant impact on society.

On March 18th 2004, The Andrés Bello Catholic University, bestowed upon him an Honoris Causa Doctorate in Education, in solemn ceremony presided by Luis Ugalde, s.j, Headmaster of this prestigious Venezuelan House of lore.

Dr. Abreu received the World Culture Open Peace Prize For Arts and Culture in Creative Arts "for his work with the National Symphony Youth Orchestra, which has given hundreds of thousands of Venezuelan children of low-income families access to music and education that improves their lives. His efforts have inspired similar initiatives in other Latin American countries". In nominating Abreu for the World Culture Open award, Mark Churchill, dean of the New England Conservatory in Boston, called the universal appeal of the orchestra system to Venezuelan a beacon for hope in a troubled world. The ceremony took place at the Avery Fisher Hall of the Lincoln Center in New York City, on September 9th, 2004

On May 26th 2005, he is bestowed by the Federal Republic of Germany, the Merit Cross in its First Degree, in recognition to his extraordinary work in benefit of German-Venezuelan Cultural relations.