The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation® and Fundación Puertas Abiertas joined forces to offer a live educational program

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Credit: Luis González.Heif/Fundación Puertas Abiertas

MIAMI (JULY 22, 2025) — The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation® and Fundación Puertas Abiertas, established and presided over by the renowned songwriter Erika Ender—Latin GRAMMY® winner, GRAMMY® nominee, and a member of The Latin Recording Academy®’s Board of Trustees—hosted an educational experience at Panama’s Ciudad de las Artes to inspire a new generation of Latin music creators.

This marked the 43rd Latin GRAMMY In The Schools™ program organized by the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation, which included a donation of musical instruments to young students, performances, and a special appearance by Ender, along with a Q&A session with Raquel “Rocky” Egusquiza, Executive Director of the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation.

Ciudad de las Artes is an arts and training facility that is home to the Network of Choirs and Orchestras, the National Symphony Orchestra, and the National Ballet of Panama, among others, promoting music, inspiration, and learning while uniting art with social engagement.

“It's a pleasure to celebrate the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation event in Panama, joining forces with my foundation, Fundación Puertas Abiertas, and work together, hand in hand to support youth,” said Ender. “Supporting education, music, and Panamanian talent is both a duty and an honor, and I am proud to be able to make this donation of instruments to the Network of Choirs and Orchestras and connect generations through music in a place as magical as Ciudad de las Artes.”

“Creating spaces to provide opportunities to promote Latin music and its culture is key to our mission,” said Egusquiza. “We are grateful to Fundación Puertas Abiertas and Erika Ender for welcoming us to Panama and for allowing us to work together to empower the future generation of Latin music creators.”

Since its inception, the Latin GRAMMY In The Schools program has benefited educational institutions in various cities across the United States, including Aransas Pass, Dallas, Detroit, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, New York, and San Antonio, as well as internationally in Buenos Aires, Argentina; Mexico City, Mexico; Panama City, Panama, Arecibo, Humacao, Yauco, and San Juan in Puerto Rico; and Sevilla, Spain.

Latin GRAMMY In The Schools is an educational program that informs and connects music students with professionals in the Latin music industry, supporting educational music departments that face financial limitations. The Foundation invites professional musicians, artists, and sound engineers to visit middle and high schools, universities, or music education institutions and share their personal stories and experiences with students, highlighting the effort it takes to overcome career obstacles. The goal is for students to learn to optimize the educational opportunities presented to them, giving them an advantage and strong academic preparation to be able to compete in the music industry.

Among the artists who have participated in this program are: Ángela Aguilar, David Bisbal, Marilina Bertoldi, Miguel Bosé, Calle 13, Pedro Capó, Camilo, Chino & Nacho, Chiquis, Luis Coronel, Silvestre Dangond, Joss Favela, Fonseca, Luis Fonsi, El Fantasma, Becky G, Karol G, Kany García, Gente de Zona, Leslie Grace, Carlos Jean, Jesse & Joy, Natalia Lafourcade, Poncho Lizárraga, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Mau y Ricky, Claudia Montero, Ednita Nazario, Christian Nodal, Laura Pausini, Ángel "Cucco" Peña, Mireya Ramos, Prince Royce, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Noel Scharjris, Olga Tañón, Thalía, Christian Serratos, Diego Torres, Carlos Vives, Wisin, and Sebastián Yatra.

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ABOUT ERIKA ENDER:

A pioneer in the global music industry, Erika Ender stands as one of the most decorated and versatile creators of all time. As a songwriter, artist, producer, communicator, and philanthropist, she has penned over 40 #1 hits across a broad spectrum of genres, including the most globally successful song in history, “Despacito.” With more than 200 albums featuring her compositions and nearly 400 prestigious awards—including Latin GRAMMYs® and Billboard Awards—she ranks among the most honored Latin songwriters of all time. Her catalog has earned 16 Diamond certifications, 177 multi-Platinum, and 181 Gold awards across multiple countries, cementing her legacy as both an artistic and commercial powerhouse. A member of the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame, recognized by Forbes as one of Central America's Most Powerful Women, and honored with a Guinness World Record™ for her innovative philanthropic initiative “TALENPRO”—the flagship project of her Fundación Puertas Abiertas, established in 2009—she has transformed over 50,000 lives through educational programs, renovated learning environments, university scholarships, early childhood nutrition programs, and more. Fluent in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, Erika Ender transcends music: she is a visionary who shapes the world with every note, word, and action. For more information: www.erikaender.com.

ABOUT THE LATIN GRAMMY CULTURAL FOUNDATION:

The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation® is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization established by The Latin Recording Academy® with the vision of becoming a global champion of music education and empowering communities through Latin music and culture. In 2024, the Foundation celebrated its 10-year anniversary, and during the last decade, it has fostered the next generation of Latin music creators through scholarships, education programs and grants that advance Latin music and celebrate its rich cultural heritage. To date, the Foundation has donated more than $12.5 million with the support of The Latin Recording Academy’s members, artists, corporate sponsors and other generous donors. For additional information or to donate, please visit latingrammyculturalfoundation.org or our Facebook page. And follow us @latingrammyfdn on X and Instagram, and at Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation on Facebook and LinkedIn.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

The Latin Recording Academy

Nathalie Alberto

Nathalie.alberto@grammy.com

Fundación Puertas Abiertas

Ilka Ender

ilka@funpaee.org

Presented by Open Society Foundations, the event united industry leaders to champion mentorship and the advancement of women in music

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Credit: John Parra and Desiree Navarro/

Getty Images for the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation

MIAMI (MARCH 5, 2026) — The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation® hosted its first- Leading Ladies of Entertainment Symposium at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Davie, FL, on March 4, convening more than 200 industry professionals for a day dedicated to leadership, mentorship and the advancement of women in music.

The program featured former Leading Ladies of Entertainment honorees including Róndine Alcalá, founder of RondenePR, María Elisa Ayerbe, Latin GRAMMY®-winning sound engineer, Goyo, Latin GRAMMY-nominated artist, Maricarmen “Tuti” Bou, Vice President of Sony Music Entertainment Puerto Rico, Rocío Guerrero, Global Head of Latin Music for Amazon Music, Paula Kaminsky, Managing Director at Global Talent Services US, and Ana Rosa Santiago, Senior Vice President of Latin Music for Universal Music Publishing Group.

Additionally, trailblazing women in the industry including Brenda Carrasco, Senior VP of Marketing and Artist Strategy, Warner Music Latina, Thatiana Díaz, award-winning Editor in Chief at Remezcla and Hip Latina, María Fernández, Chief Operating Officer, Latin Iberia at Sony Music Entertainment, Mary Nuñez, Vice President, Head of Sync US Latin & Latin America, Warner Chappell Music, Evelyn Suero, Founder & attorney at Suero Law, and Vicky Van, Univision reporter and radio host, joined the event as guest speakers.

Award-winning journalist Maity Interiano served as master of ceremonies. Sessions focused on entrepreneurship, branding and the evolving music industry, complemented by curated networking opportunities. The event concluded with a special performance by Latin GRAMMY and GRAMMY®-nominated artist Elena Rose.

Paying-it-forward and forging opportunities for future generations is a core pillar of this initiative. Applications are now open for the Foundation’s fifth cohort of the Leading Ladies of Entertainment Mentorship Program through Monday, April 6, 2026, at www.latingrammyculturalfoundation.org.

The symposium and mentorship program are presented by Open Society Foundations, the world’s largest private funder of independent groups working for rights, equity and justice.

The Leading Ladies of Entertainment initiative was created by The Latin Recording Academy® in 2016 to honor and recognize professional and socially conscious women within the arts and entertainment fields who have made significant contributions and inspired the next generation of female leaders. To learn about previous honorees click here.

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ABOUT THE LATIN GRAMMY CULTURAL FOUNDATION:

The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation® is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization established by The Latin Recording Academy® with the vision of becoming a global champion of music education and empowering communities through Latin music and culture. For over a decade, the Foundation has fostered the next generation of Latin music creators through scholarships, education programs and grants that advance Latin music and celebrate its rich cultural heritage. To date, the Foundation has invested more than $15 million with the support of The Latin Recording Academy’s members, artists, corporate sponsors and other generous donors.For additional information or to donate, please visit latingrammyculturalfoundation.org or our Facebook page. And follow us @latingrammyfdn on Instagram, and at Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation on Facebook and LinkedIn.

MEDIA CONTACT:

The Latin Recording Academy

Nathalie Alberto

Nathalie.alberto@grammy.com

Open Society Foundations joins as Presenting Sponsor of the mentorship program and symposium to be held on March 4 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Davie, FL

Apply to the Leading Ladies of Entertainment Mentorship Program by April 6, 2026

MIAMI (FEBRUARY 19, 2026) — The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation® announced it will host its inaugural Leading Ladies of Entertainment Symposium on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, bringing together influential voices to inspire leadership, mentorship and the advancement of women in music at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Davie, FL.

Throughout the day, guests will hear from former Leading Ladies of Entertainment honorees as well as trailblazing women in the industry who will speak on topics ranging from entrepreneurship, branding and the future of the industry, as well as participate in networking opportunities. Panelists will be announced over the coming weeks. For more event details and to secure tickets click here.

The Foundation also announced that applications are now open for its Leading Ladies of Entertainment Mentorship Program. Paying-it-forward and forging opportunities for future generations is a core pillar of this initiative, and the program is now accepting applications for its fifth cohort of mentees looking to follow a career in the music and entertainment industry. To apply visit www.latingrammyculturalfoundation.org by Monday, April 6, 2026.

This year, Open Society Foundations, the world’s largest private funder of independent groups working for rights, equity and justice, joins as Presenting Sponsor of the inaugural Leading Ladies of Entertainment Symposium as well as the Mentorship Program.

“At the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation, we believe access creates opportunity, and the Leading Ladies Symposium and Mentorship Program are powerful reminders of what happens when women come together with purpose and commit to ensuring that future generations have access to resources and opportunities,” said Raquel “Rocky” Egusquiza, Executive Director, Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation. “We thank Open Society Foundations for sharing our vision to bring together such an inspiring group of women who are generously sharing their stories, insights and leadership to help create pathways for the next generation of women in entertainment.”

The Leading Ladies of Entertainment initiative was created by The Latin Recording Academy® in 2016 to honor and recognize professional and socially conscious women within the arts and entertainment fields who have made significant contributions and inspired the next generation of female leaders. To learn about previous honorees click here.

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ABOUT THE LATIN GRAMMY CULTURAL FOUNDATION:

The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation® is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization established by The Latin Recording Academy® with the vision of becoming a global champion of music education and empowering communities through Latin music and culture. For over a decade, the Foundation has fostered the next generation of Latin music creators through scholarships, education programs and grants that advance Latin music and celebrate its rich cultural heritage. To date, the Foundation has invested more than $15 million with the support of The Latin Recording Academy’s members, artists, corporate sponsors and other generous donors.For additional information or to donate, please visit latingrammyculturalfoundation.org or our Facebook page. And follow us @latingrammyfdn on Instagram, and at Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation on Facebook and LinkedIn.

MEDIA CONTACT:

The Latin Recording Academy

Nathalie Alberto

Nathalie.alberto@grammy.com

The program, in partnership with Sony Music Group’s Beyond The Instrument Initiative, expands access to music education and included a donation of instruments and musical performances by the students

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Credit: Manuel Velásquez Figueroa/Getty Images for the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation

PANAMA (JANUARY 29, 2026) — The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation®, in partnership with Sony Music Group’s Beyond The Instrument Initiative and Latin GRAMMY®-nominated artist Boza, hosted Latin GRAMMY In The Schools™, an educational experience that included a donation of musical instruments to the high school Instituto Rubiano in San Miguelito, Panama. The program—and first collaboration with Sony Music Central America and the Caribbean—included musical performances by the students and a Q&A session with the artist, moderated by renowned journalist Leonor Suárez.

Instituto Rubiano is one of Panama’s leading public educational institutions, serving approximately 4,000 students across two shifts. Recognized for its commitment to holistic development, the school emphasizes value-based learning, teamwork and community engagement to help guide young people toward positive futures. It offers high school diplomas in Science, Humanities and Computer Science, and its entire community—teachers, parents, students, and administrative staff—partners to deliver a high-quality education with the goal of becoming a national model in scientific, humanistic and technological excellence. The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation’s and Sony Music Group’s Beyond the Instrument Initiative’s investment will further strengthen Instituto Rubiano’s music offerings by funding new instruments and equipment, creating greater opportunities for students to explore and pursue music as part of their academic journey.

“It’s an honor for me to be part of the Latin GRAMMY In The Schools program because music was the tool that helped me believe in myself and change the course of my life,” said Boza. “Sharing that experience with students and showing them that their talent, voice and culture have value is something very special. I hope this program motivates them to trust their creativity and understand that there is room for them in the industry.”

“Learning goes beyond the classroom, because at Instituto Rubiano, talent and discipline grow together,” said Elizabeth Gil de Solís, Director of Instituto Rubiano. “Thank you to the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation and Sony Music Central America and the Caribbean for bringing this educational opportunity to our school.”

“We’re thrilled to bring Beyond The Instrument to Panama and to support Instituto Rubiano’s commitment to empowering young creators,” said Towalame Austin, Executive Vice President of Philanthropy, Social Impact and Environment at Sony Music Group. “Together with the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation and Boza, we’re proud to help equip these students with the tools and inspiration to pursue their musical dreams.”

“We thank Boza and Sony Music Group for their partnership and commitment to our shared mission to nurture future Latin music creators,” said Raquel “Rocky” Egusquiza, Executive Director of the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation. “Together with their support, we have ensured the legacy of Latin music at Instituto Rubiano and created what we hope will be a lifetime of memories for the student body in attendance.”

Launched in 2021, Sony Music Group’s Beyond The Instrument Initiative is designed to advance equity and expand access to cutting-edge music technology education for students in traditionally underfunded schools and districts. Through this initiative, students gain hands-on experience with modern music tools and creative mentorship from Sony Music artists and songwriters. Previously, Sony Music artists Gloria Estefan and Carlos Vives joined the program through their participation in the Latin GRAMMY In The Schools. To date, Beyond The Instrument has made an impact in schools across California, Tennessee, Florida, Canada and London, inspiring the next generation of diverse creators and innovators in music.

Latin GRAMMY In The Schools is an educational program that informs and connects music students with professionals in the Latin music industry, supporting educational music departments that face financial limitations around the world. The Foundation invites renowned musicians, performing artists, and sound engineers to visit middle and high schools, universities, or music education institutions and share their personal stories and experiences with students, highlighting the effort it takes to overcome career obstacles. The goal is for students to learn to optimize the educational opportunities presented to them, giving them an advantage and strong academic preparation to be able to compete in the music industry.

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ABOUT BOZA:

Hailing from Panama, Boza is a globally recognized singer/songwriter known for fusing urban music, dancehall, afrobeat and the Panamanian canela rhythm. In 2019, Sony Music Entertainment Centroamérica y Caribe signed the Panamanian artist. In 2020, the hit “Hecha Pa’ Mi” catapulted him to global fame after going viral on TikTok. The track is featured on Más Negro Que Rojo, Boza’s debut album released in 2020, which earned him his first Latin GRAMMY® nomination in the Best New Artist category. Since then, the artist has released three additional studio albums: Bucle (2022), Sin Sol (2023), and SAN BLAS (2025). His hit “Orión,” featuring Elena Rose, has accumulated over 214 million streams, spent 14 weeks at #2 on Billboard's Latin Pop Airplay chart, and was named one of the 25 Best Latin Songs of the Year by the same magazine. In 2025, he was included in Forbes Central America’s 30 Under 30 list in the Sports and Entertainment category, highlighting his cultural influence and social impact. He also received his second Latin GRAMMY nomination in the Best Latin Electronic Music Performance category for “Orión (Sistek Remix).” With over 12.2 million monthly listeners on Spotify and over 1.982 billion total streams, Boza has established himself as one of Central America’s most influential voices.

ABOUT THE LATIN GRAMMY CULTURAL FOUNDATION:

The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation® is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization established by The Latin Recording Academy® with the vision of becoming a global champion of music education and empowering communities through Latin music and culture. For over a decade, the Foundation has fostered the next generation of Latin music creators through scholarships, education programs and grants that advance Latin music and celebrate its rich cultural heritage. To date, the Foundation has invested more than $15 million with the support of The Latin Recording Academy’s members, artists, corporate sponsors and other generous donors.For additional information or to donate, please visit latingrammyculturalfoundation.org or our Facebook page. And follow us @latingrammyfdn on Instagram, and at Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation on Facebook and LinkedIn.

ABOUT SONY MUSIC GROUP’S BEYOND THE INSTRUMENT:

Marking its fifth anniversary, Beyond The Instrument continues to underscore Sony Music Group’s commitment to expanding access to music education; since its launch, the program has equipped young people across multiple regions with cuttingedge music technology and industryrelevant learning experiences. Implemented in key markets including California, Tennessee, Florida, Nevada, London, Toronto, and now Panama, the initiative has grown into a global effort that empowers students through meaningful, handson opportunities. Artists and songwriters who have contributed to the program include Cat Burns, Noah Cyrus, Sigala, DIXSON, Theron Thomas, Schak, Aqyila and Gloria Estefan, each helping to inspire the next generation of music creators.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

The Latin Recording Academy

Nathalie Alberto

Nathalie.alberto@grammy.com

Sony Music

Melissa Cusack

Melissa.Cusack@sonymusic.com

The immersive learning experience, presented by Coca-Cola, guided aspiring

creators on industry topics such as music business, songwriting and Latin percussion

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Credit: John Parra/Getty Images for the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation

MIAMI (JANUARY 26, 2026) – The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation® hosted their Emerging Talent Intensive Program at Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade over the weekend. The immersive learning experience, presented by Coca-Cola, included a full day of activities which guided 50 aspiring teen music creators through curated, hands-on workshops focused on the music business, songwriting, performance and Latin percussion.

Guest panelists included Latin GRAMMY®-winning artist Natalia Ramírez who shared insights into the wide range of career possibilities within the music industry—from performance and production to marketing and tech—while also sharing practical advice from her own professional journey. The program continued with a presentation by Latin GRAMMY® nominee and Foundation alum Nicolás González, who guided the young creators through the foundations of songwriting and live performance, covering topics like lyric development, song structure and the art of storytelling through music. Rounding out the day, Foundation alum Alexis Soto, led a Latin percussion workshop, featuring a hands-on rhythm session. Each of the presentations included engaging Q&A sessions, with renowned journalist Jessica Rodriguez serving as the moderator, where the aspiring music creators were able to engage with the speakers and dived deeper into the respective workshops.

“We are incredibly grateful to the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation for bringing this transformative Emerging Talent Intensive Program to our Clubs,” said Alex Rodríguez-Roig, President of Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade. “This partnership perfectly aligns with our mission to enable all young people to reach their full potential. By exposing our aspiring young music creators to world-class instruction in songwriting, performance and the business side of music, we're opening doors to career possibilities they may have never imagined. We thank the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation, Coca-Cola, and all the talented guest instructors for investing in the futures of Miami-Dade's youth, and for showing them that their dreams in music are within reach.”

“Creating innovative, engaging programs that make a meaningful impact in the communities we serve is central to our purpose, and we’re proud to bring that commitment to life through our more than 75-year partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs,” said Alba Baylin, Vice President of Stakeholder and Social Impact at The Coca-Cola Company. “Together with the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation we’ve created a culturally relevant and inspiring program that gives young people in Miami direct exposure to and mentorship from music industry experts, while building the workforce readiness skills they need for successful futures.”

“Together with Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade and our guest panelists we are fulfilling our shared mission to serve the community and nurture aspiring music creators,” said Raquel “Rocky” Egusquiza, Executive Director of the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation. “We are grateful to them and to Coca-Cola for partnering with us for this Emerging Talent Intensive as we further advance the future of Latin music.”

The Emerging Talent Intensive Program was launched in 2025 and creates engaging, accessible experiences for aspiring performing artists. The program offers young creators the opportunity to participate in hands-on training through classes and jam sessions based on the broad and dynamic curriculum offered by the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation guest panelists and their brand partners.

For more information and the latest news, please visit the official Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation website at www.latingrammyculturalfoundation.org.

ABOUT THE LATIN GRAMMY CULTURAL FOUNDATION:

The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation® is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization established by The Latin Recording Academy® with the vision of becoming a global champion of music education and empowering communities through Latin music and culture. For over a decade, the Foundation has fostered the next generation of Latin music creators through scholarships, education programs and grants that advance Latin music and celebrate its rich cultural heritage. To date, the Foundation has invested more than $15 million with the support of The Latin Recording Academy’s members, artists, corporate sponsors and other generous donors.For additional information or to donate, please visit latingrammyculturalfoundation.org or our Facebook page. And follow us @latingrammyfdn on Instagram, and at Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation on Facebook and LinkedIn.

MEDIA CONTACT:

The Latin Recording Academy

Nathalie Alberto

Nathalie.alberto@grammy.com