A total of 12 Dreamers will take part in Imagine Silicon Valley 2017 from July 1st to 31st, which will take place in San Francisco (United States). This is a programme which focuses on disruptive innovation in which Dreamers will work on projects with the help of mentors and experts, and where they will have the chance to visit some of the most emblematic companies in the world, such as Google, Facebook, Twitter, Tesla, Stanford and Berkeley.
Three lucky young people will go to the States with a grant from the Foundation. The first is Alberto Álvarez, from the Reina Sofía School of Music, who will take part in the first musical entrepreneurship and innovation programme, in which we are a collaborating firm. This young, talented pianist will be jetting off to Silicon Valley. We spoke to him to find out how he intends to take on this new experience.
How did you feel when you first learned that you were an official Dreamer for Imagine Silicon Valley 2017? At first I just couldn’t believe it. They called me in the morning and my hands wouldn’t stop shaking throughout the conversation. It didn’t really sink in until a few minutes later. When I hung up the phone I just felt ecstatic, I was going round the house jumping for joy.
And what do you think the programme will be like for you? I’m feeling focused and very excited. You never know what journeys like this will bring you, but I’m sure it will be life-changing, one of these experiences which are truly a turning point in your life. As a musician and a composer, I hope to bring my creative nature to all of the activities and projects that I get involved in.
It is a fantastic opportunity to spend a month in one of the most important tech company hubs in the world; what targets have you set yourself? I am heading out there ready to observe and learn as much as possible. These companies have gotten as far as they have because they are doing many things well. It is a privilege to have a chance to see how they work from up close. I hope I can come back with many new ideas to continue working on the entrepreneurship project which I am currently working on here at the School.
What do you think of the fact that institutions like the Reina Sofía School of Music and the Banco Sabadell Foundation are working to support talent and offer these types of opportunities? I think it’s a really good thing. Classical music needs entrepreneurs who can uncover new formulas in order to get closer to society. Initiatives like these are a way of investing in the future. I have been one of the very lucky ones on this occasion, and I am very thankful to everyone who has made this possible, and I can assure you that I will make the most of this opportunity.
Video presentation by Alberto Álvarez:
