Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation® awards Sofia Carson Scholarship to Valentina García

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Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation® awards Sofia Carson Scholarship to Valentina García

Latin GRAMMYs/Aug 11, 2022 - 04:26 PM

The Foundation also awarded an additional 43 scholarships to music students worldwide

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MIAMI (August 11, 2022) — The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation® awarded the

Sofia Carson Scholarship to 19-year-old vocalist and student Valentina García during a special presentation with the artist in Miami. The Prodigy Scholarship (Sofia Carson Scholarship) — created eight years ago to support music education and the Latin music genres — holds a maximum value of $200,000 and allows García to pursue a bachelor's degree at Berklee College of Music in Boston, starting this fall. 

The Venezuelan native was selected by the Foundation's Scholarship Committee from a highly competitive group of hundreds of applicants worldwide. Since its establishment, the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation has committed an extraordinary sum of more than $7.6 million in scholarships, grants, musical instruments, and educational events throughout the United States and Ibero-America.

“Year after year, we are humbled and inspired by the sheer volume and quality of scholarship entries from future Latin music creators committed to pursuing their dreams,” said Manuel Abud, CEO of The Latin Recording Academy®. “Since its inception and against adversities, our Foundation has been focused on awarding nearly $1 million in scholarships each year, thanks to the generosity of artists such as Sofia Carson, who continues to solidify the legacy of Latin music and preserve this program for future generations.”

“It has been my privilege to witness the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation’s transformational mission, changing lives through the power of music education,” said Sofia Carson, Global Ambassador of the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation. “It is my honor to partner with my Foundation family to present Valentina with the Prodigy Scholarship. She is an ever-deserving, brilliant young woman whose voice and talent awed us. Together, may we continue to amplify and lift powerful Latin voices, in every corner of our world.”

“Together, Sofia Carson and the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation have changed my life for the better. I am forever grateful for their generosity and the doors they have opened,” said García. “My journey is only beginning, as I bare witness to the impact the Foundation has made on the lives of Latin musicians around the world, I am determined to pay it forward and be a voice for those who are most in need.”

The Foundation also announced the recipients of its annual Gifted Tuition Scholarships and Tuition Assistance Scholarships, that will allow 43 talented students from diverse backgrounds the opportunity to pursue an education at some of the most prestigious musical institutions in the world.

Gifted Tuition Scholarship Recipients:

The following three students will each receive the Gifted Tuition Scholarship, with a maximum value of $100,000, which will support the tuition costs of four years of study at the university or college of their choice are:

  • Ferran Rico, electric bassist from Spain
  • Juan Camilo Doria, tenor saxophonist from Colombia
  • Alejo Villareal, electric bassist from Argentina

Juan Camilo Doria’s gift of $100,000 was sponsored by international art collector, gallery owner and philanthropist Gary Nader, Nader Art Museum Scholarship.

Tuition Assistance Scholarship Recipients:

In addition, the following 40 students will each receive the Tuition Assistance Scholarship, a one-time scholarship with a maximum value of $10,000 toward the tuition costs for the university or college of their choice:

Recipient Country of Origin Principal Instrument  College/University
Stephanie AcostaColombiaVoice

Berklee College of Music, Boston
Cintia AguilarVenezuelaVoice

Longy School of Music of Bard College, Boston

Luis Anselmi

VenezuelaCuatro Venezolano

Humber College, Canadá
Cobe Isai Banda SalcidoMexicoGuitar

Tecnológico de Monterrey, México
Rafael Beck d'Avila MelloBrazilFlute

Faculdade e Conservatório Souza Lima, Brasil
Joaquín BonillaEcuadorFlute

Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt Universidad
Gabriel BragaBrazilTrombone

Faculdade e Conservatório Souza Lima, Brasil
Sebastián CastilloPanamaPiano

Berklee College of Music, Boston
Nicolás Castro GranadosColombiaSaxophone

Conservatorio Superior de Música de Castilla y León, Salamanca, España
Lorenzo CurikArgentinaDrum Set

Berklee College of Music, Boston
Arthur de Souza Lima ScarpiniBrazilGuitar

Faculdade e Conservatório Souza Lima, Brasil
Abner Felipe Dos Santos MartinsBrazilGuitar

Faculdade e Conservatório Souza Lima, Brasil
Marien Femerling GarcíaMexicoPiano

Manhattan School of Music, New York
Jhoely GarayMexicoGuitar

Manhattan School of Music, New York
Francisco GarridoVenezuelaGuitar

Conservatorium van Amsterdam, Netherlands
Andrés GuerraVenezuelaGuitar

The New School, New York
Maximiliano JaimeColombiaDrum Set

Berklee College of Music, Boston
Damián KompelArgentinaClarinet

Berklee College of Music, Boston
Marina Marchi SilveiraBrazilVoice

Faculdade e Conservatório Souza Lima, Brasil
Sebastián MariñoPuerto RicoSaxophone

Conservatorio de Música de Puerto Rico
Simón MartínezEcuador

Piano

Berklee College of Music, Boston
Octavio MujicaUnited StatesCello

San Francisco Conservatory of Music
Marcelo MurilloUnited StatesDrum Set

University of Oregon
Andrés NaliVenezuelaPercussionBerklee College of Music, Boston
Gabriel NievesMexicoFlute

Conservatorio de las Rosas, México
Rafael Nocedo GonzálezCubaPiano

Berklee College of Music, Boston
Daniel OliveroVenezuelaVoice

Berklee College of Music, Boston
Andrés Felipe Palacios RodasColombiaGuitar

Peabody Institute of the John Hopkins Universidad, Baltimore
João Vítor Aredes Martins PauloBrazilDrum Set

Faculdade e Conservatório Souza Lima, Brasil
Kalebe RequenaBrazilTrumpet

Faculdade e Conservatório Souza Lima, Brasil
Oscar RojasMéxicoPiano

Berklee College of Music, Boston
Isaac RomagosaSpainGuitar

Berklee College of Music, Boston
Orlando SalazarVenezuelaOboe

Longy School of Music of Bard College, Boston
Juan Sebástian SánchezColombiaPercussion

Berklee College of Music, Boston
Joao SemedoPortugalVibraphone

Berklee College of Music, Boston
Kristalis SotomayorPuerto RicoFlute

Boston Conservatory, Boston
Gustavo TenesBrazilElectric Bass

Faculdade e Conservatório Souza Lima, Brasil
Ángela Varo MorenoSpainViolin

Berklee College of Music, Boston
Ayin Villagra-BrownChilePianoThe New School, New York
Marcus Vinicius de Oliveira Figueiredo da Silva

Brazil



Double Bass

Royal Northern College of Music, England

 

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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® in 2014 to further international awareness and appreciation of the significant contributions of Latin music and its makers to the world’s culture. The Foundation provides college scholarships, educational programs and grants for the research and preservation of its rich musical legacy and heritage, and to date has donated more than $7.6 million with the support of The Latin Recording Academy’s members, artists, corporate sponsors and other generous donors. For additional information, or to make a donation, please visit latingrammyculturalfoundation.org, Amazon Smile or our Facebook page. And follow us @latingrammyfdn on Twitter and Instagram, and at Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation on Facebook

 

ABOUT SOFIA CARSON:

Sofia Carson is a force of nature, rising to the top of all she endeavors with grace and style in the world of entertainment. She has forged a singular path in music, film, television and philanthropy. Carson currently stars as Cassie in the smash hit Netflix film Purple Hearts. She also serves as Executive Producer and co-wrote and performed the film’s original soundtrack. Purple Hearts was the #1 film globally on Netflix with over 150 million hours viewed in its first 10 days of release. Carson is a multi-platinum, award-nominated singer and songwriter. She’s garnered over 2 billion streams, over 8 billion total music consumption to date, and reached #1 on the Billboard Top 200. She recently released her self-titled debut album, Sofia Carson. The magnetic pop album, via Hollywood Records, tells a story about a girl who falls in love, only to be shattered into pieces, but nonetheless, survives. This year, she performs the song “Applause” from the upcoming film Tell It Like A Woman written by the legendary Academy Award nominee Diane Warren. As an actress, she has starred in Netflix’s Feel The Beat, Michael Bay’s SongbirdPretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists and Disney’s global phenomenon Descendants. As a philanthropist, she stands out as UNICEF’s US Ambassador. She is dedicated to using her voice to engage the youth across the U.S. to relentlessly pursue an equitable world for every child through the lifesaving force of education. Carson is the first female Global Ambassador for the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation®.

 

MEDIA CONTACTS:

The Exclusive Agency on behalf of The Latin Recording Academy

Elina Adut

Eadut@eadut.com

 

The Latin Recording Academy
Nathalie Alberto

Nathalie.Alberto@grammy.com

The Latin Recording Academy® Announces New Eligibility Guidelines For The 27th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards®, Set To Take Place On Nov. 12

News

The Latin Recording Academy® Announces New Eligibility Guidelines For The 27th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards®, Set To Take Place On Nov. 12

Latin GRAMMYs/Mar 25, 2026 - 04:00 PM

Nominations will be announced on Sept. 16, and streamed across all social channels

MIAMI (MARCH 25, 2026) – The Latin Recording Academy® announced several category and eligibility changes for the 27th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards®, taking place on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2026, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, with nominations set to be announced on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026.

These changes to the Awards Process, from the music creators and professionals that make up its membership body, are part of The Latin Academy’s commitment to evolve with the ever-changing musical landscape, and to best serve its approximately 7,000 members from 62 countries around the world. All updates go into effect immediately for the upcoming 27th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards.

“As our Academy continues to evolve, our focus remains firmly on our membership and the integrity of our Awards Process,” said Manuel Abud, CEO of The Latin Recording Academy. “These updates are driven by our members, whose participation each year ensures the Latin GRAMMY Awards continue to stand as a benchmark for excellence in Latin music.”

CATEGORY CHANGE

  • Best Portuguese Language Urban Performance category will evolve to an album category as Best Portuguese Language Urban Album (Portuguese Language Field).

CATEGORY NAME CHANGES

  • Best Latin Electronic Music Performance category will evolve to Best Electronic Music Performance (Electronic Field)

  • Best Urban/Urban Fusion Performance category will evolve to Best Urban Performance (Urban Field)

  • Best Classical Contemporary Composition category will evolve to Best Classical Composition (Classical Field)

AMENDMENTS TO ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR SEVERAL CATEGORIES

Eligibility requirements for Producer of the Year category:

  • A minimum of five (5) total producer credits, achieved through any combination of album credits, single/track credits or co-production percentage credits. Alternatively, a producer credit on 100% of at least five (5) singles or tracks.

  • Co-production rule: credits are divided evenly among all producers. Example: four (4) producers = 0.25 credits each per track.

Eligibility requirements for Best New Artist category:

  • An artist is not eligible for consideration if they have released more than three (3) albums, or 25 singles, or a combination of albums and singles that surpasses these limits. Singles that are subsequently included as tracks on an album shall not be counted towards the single total.

Eligibility requirements for Best Instrumental Album category:

  • Vocals can be used in up to 40% of the total playing time, while requiring that at least 60% of the work remain instrumental. If vocals are present, 60% of the vocal content must be performed in one of The Latin Academy’s accepted languages.

Eligibility requirements for Singer-Songwriter categories:

  • A singer-songwriter may compose and perform some songs with a colleague, provided the required participation percentages are met.

  • For a singer-songwriter album to be eligible, the artist(s) must both write and perform together on at least 75% of the album.

  • In cases where two singer-songwriters collaborate, eligibility applies only when both artists jointly write and perform the same material; artists who perform together but do not write together are not eligible. “Live” albums may be eligible if they contain at least 51% new material.

  • The statuette is presented only to eligible singer-songwriter artists, with eligibility strictly requiring both songwriting and performance contributions, ensuring consistent interpretation.

Eligibility requirements for Best Contemporary Tropical Album category:

  • Category now includes and accepts recordings influenced by or belonging to Kompa Haitiano.

Eligibility Requirements for Best Music for Visual Media category:

  • Category now requires eligible submissions to include supporting video materials.

USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

The Latin GRAMMY Awards® recognize creative excellence. Only human creators are eligible to be submitted for consideration for, nominated for, or win a Latin GRAMMY®. A work that contains no human authorship is not eligible in any category. A work that features elements of A.I. material (i.e. material generated by the use of artificial intelligence technology) is eligible in applicable categories, however: (1) the human authorship component of the work submitted must be meaningful and more than de minimis; (2) such human authorship component must be relevant to the category in which such work is entered (e.g. if the work is submitted in a songwriting category, there must be meaningful and more than de minimis human authorship in respect of the music and/or lyrics; if the work is submitted in a performance category, there must be meaningful and more than de minimis human authorship in respect of the performance); and (3) the author(s) of any A.I. material incorporated into the work are not eligible to be nominees or Latin GRAMMY recipients insofar as their contribution to the portion of the work that consists of such A.I material is concerned. De minimis is defined as lacking significance or importance; so minor as to merit disregard.

LABEL COPY CREDITS AND UPDATED FEES

All requests for label copy credit corrections must include the following:

  • A formal statement detailing what information was inaccurately submitted or omitted.

  • Updated (final) label copy.

  • Call sheets or studio logs confirming that the additional individual(s) worked on the recording and specifying their roles.

  • Confirmation that credits have been updated across all applicable DSPs.

  • All requests must be submitted in writing by the person who made the entry.

Changes or corrections to credits will be accepted from the time of submission until the announcement of nominations. If a nominated recording or video requires a credit correction after nominations are announced, a fee will be implemented. New fees and payment requirements are as follows: Record labels: USD $5,000 per label copy and Latin Recording Academy members: USD $1,000 per label copy.

ENTRY PROCESS UPDATED FEE

Early bird entry pricing model for record labels will now be replaced with a single,

set entry fee of USD $2,000 that applies regardless of submission date within the eligibility period.

For complete category descriptions and eligibility requirements, please refer to the new Rules & Guidelines document. And to view this year’s Awards calendar, visit https://www.latingrammy.com/en/awards/calendar.

Key dates for this year’s Awards Process include:

June 1, 2025 - May 31, 2026: Product Eligibility Period

April 1 - May 31, 2026: Online Entry Process (OEP)

July 27 - Aug. 10, 2026: First Round of Voting

Sept. 16, 2026: Nominees announced for the 27th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards

Oct. 1 - 12, 2026: Final Round of Voting

Nov. 12, 2026: 27th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards airing live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Univision. Additional broadcasting partners will be announced in the Fall.

For the latest news, visit the official Latin Recording Academy site at LatinGRAMMY.com. Follow us on Facebook (LatinGRAMMYs), X (@LatinGRAMMYs) or Instagram (@LatinGRAMMYs), and join the conversation using our official hashtag #LatinGRAMMY on all popular social media platforms.

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ABOUT THE LATIN RECORDING ACADEMY:

The Latin Recording Academy® is an international nonprofit dedicated to nurturing, celebrating, honoring and elevating Latin music and its creators. Established as the global authority on Latin music, the membership-based organization composed of music professionals produces the annual Latin GRAMMY Awards®, The Biggest Night in Latin Music®, which honors excellence in the recording arts and sciences, in addition to providing educational and outreach programs for the music community through its Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation®. For more information, please visit LatinGRAMMY.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:

The Latin Recording Academy

Iveliesse Malavé

ive@grammy.com

Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation® Hosts First Leading Ladies Of Entertainment Symposium

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Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation® Hosts First Leading Ladies Of Entertainment Symposium

Latin GRAMMYs/Mar 04, 2026 - 10:30 PM

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

Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation® Launches First  Leading Ladies Of Entertainment Symposium & Opens Applications For Fifth Mentorship Program

News

Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation® Launches First Leading Ladies Of Entertainment Symposium & Opens Applications For Fifth Mentorship Program

Latin GRAMMYs/Feb 19, 2026 - 02:00 PM

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

Boza Joins Latin GRAMMY In The Schools™  Benefiting The High School Instituto Rubiano In San Miguelito, Panama

News

Boza Joins Latin GRAMMY In The Schools™ Benefiting The High School Instituto Rubiano In San Miguelito, Panama

Latin GRAMMYs/Jan 29, 2026 - 09:30 PM

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

Click here to download the photo

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