Event Sponsored by Sony Music Group’s Beyond The Instrument Initiative to Expand Access to Music Education
The Program Pays Homage to the Legacy of Gloria’s late mother Gloria Fajardo, who served as an educator at the school for more than 20 years honoring her roots
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Credit: John Parra/Getty Images for the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation
MIAMI (NOVEMBER 4, 2025) — The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation®, together with Sony Music Group’s Beyond The Instrument initiative, today hosted an event with multi–Latin GRAMMY® and GRAMMY®–winning artist and 2008 Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year™, Gloria Estefan, at James H. Bright / JW Johnson Elementary School, part of Miami-Dade County Public Schools in South Florida. The school recently received a grant to provide deserving students with music education experiences and new musical equipment.
The Miami based elementary school plays a pivotal role in honoring Gloria’s roots, as her late mother Gloria Fajardo, served as an educator for more than twenty years. This homecoming marks a milestone moment, coming full circle celebrating the past, present and future. As part of the celebration, the students performed a special tribute of “Mi Tierra” and “Conga”. Leading up to the program, the students participated in percussion classes led by Alexis Soto, recipient of the Tuition Assistance Scholarship from 2016-2019, who is giving back to the community as part of the Foundation’s Scholarship Alumni Network.
“Returning to James H. Bright/JW Johnson Elementary School is deeply personal for me. This is where my mother, Gloria Fajardo, dedicated more than two decades of her life as an educator — inspiring generations of students to dream, learn, and believe in themselves. Music was always a central part of our home and our family, and I know she would be so proud to see the next generation of young minds being nurtured through it. Supporting music education is not just about fostering future artists; it’s about giving children the tools to express themselves, to build confidence, and to connect with their culture and community. To be able to honor my mother’s legacy in this very special way means the world to me,” said Gloria Estefan.
“As Miami-Dade County Public Schools celebrates 140 years of educational excellence, we are reminded that our legacy is built not only on academics, but on the arts, culture, and the power of community,” said Miami-Dade County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Jose L. Dotres. "This partnership with the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation and Gloria Estefan honors the educators who came before us, like Gloria’s mother, and uplifts the students who will carry our story forward."
“Each Latin GRAMMY In The Schools event further advances the Foundation’s mission of ensuring the legacy of Latin music and its creators, and we are grateful to Gloria and our partners at Sony Music Group for their generosity,” said Raquel “Rocky” Egusquiza, Executive Director, Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation. “This occasion holds a heartfelt thread of connection, as my late mother was also an educator, and it is beautiful to witness the powerful legacy that Gloria’s mother left behind for this school and its students.”
Launched in 2021, Sony Music Group’s Beyond The Instrument program 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. Last year, Sony Music artist Carlos Vives joined the program through his participation in the Latin GRAMMY In The Schools initiative at Miami Senior High School. 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.
“We’re thrilled to collaborate with this incredible group of individuals to not only honor the legacy of Gloria’s mother as an educator, but also provide students with meaningful access to music education and resources that can inspire their futures,” said Towalame Austin, Executive Vice President, Philanthropy, Social Impact and Environment, Sony Music Group. “Moments like these remind us of the transformative power of music in shaping lives and communities.”
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, Erika Ender, 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 GLORIA ESTEFAN:
Gloria Estefan is one of the best-selling and most-acclaimed Latin artists of all-time. In addition to having sold over 100 million records, the Cuban-American icon is a multi- GRAMMY® and Latin GRAMMY® award winner. Having laid the foundation for the explosion of Latin music today, Estefan was recognized as the 2008 Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year™, and she later received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2015. A decade ago, she also branched out into Broadway as the co-creator of the Tony-nominated musical “On Your Feet!” with her husband Emilio Estefan. To celebrate 50 years in the industry, Estefan released her latest album Raíces back in May, which marked her first full Spanish-language LP in 18 years. Throughout her career, she has collaborated with acts like Shakira, Jennifer Lopez, Santana, and N’SYNC.
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 $13.9 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 ENTERTAINMENT:
At Sony Music Entertainment, we honor the creative journey. Our creators shape movements, culture, communities, even history. And we’ve played a pioneering role in music history, from establishing the first-ever music label to inventing the flat disc record. We’ve nurtured some of music’s most iconic artists and produced some of the most influential recordings of all time. Today, we work in more than 100 countries, supporting a diverse and distinctive roster of talented creators at every level and on every stage. Situated at the intersection of music, entertainment, and technology, we bring imagination and expertise to emerging products and platforms, embrace new business models, and employ breakthrough tools—all to support the creative community’s experimentation, risk-taking, and growth. And we form deep, trusted, cause-based partnerships to uplift and empower communities around the world. Sony Music Entertainment is part of the global Sony family. Learn more about our creators and labels here.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
The Latin Recording Academy
Nathalie Alberto
Sony Music
Melissa Cusack
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