The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation® and Ford Motor Company Fund join forces, for a record 25th time, to offer live educational program and music instrument donation

 

For additional images, please click here. Credit: Rob Kim/Getty Images for The Latin Recording Academy

 

NEW YORK, NY (APRIL 8, 2022) — The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation®, in partnership with GRAMMY® -winning songwriter and producer Lin-Manuel Miranda and the Ford Motor Company Fund, the philanthropic arm of Ford Motor Company, donated musical instruments valued at $40,000 to George Washington Educational Campus in Washington Heights, New York.

The donation was part of the first live, in-person Latin GRAMMY In The Schools™ educational program since 2020, and featured a conversation and performance in honor of Miranda. A Q&A with students moderated by award-winning Broadway actress and television personality Bianca Marroquín followed.

Eight-hundred enthusiastic music students from George Washington Educational Campus received the surprise of a lifetime when Miranda arrived to watch their performance of “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” and the Oscar-nominated single “Dos Oruguitas,” written by Miranda for the Oscar-winning Disney animated feature film, Encanto.

“What a thrill to watch first-hand as the incredibly talented students at the George Washington Educational Campus performed my work and brought their fellow students to their feet,” said Miranda. “I’m so grateful to be here with the Latin GRAMMY In The Schools program to support their dreams.”

“We live in a world with little room for creativity, and the arts allow our students to explore their creative brilliance and limitless possibilities,” said Zulaika Velázquez, Artistic Director & Teaching Artist at George Washington Educational Campus. “We are incredibly grateful and honored by the generous donation from the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation, Ford Motor Company Fund, and Lin-Manuel Miranda. Welcome to our theater family!”

“Our commitment to fostering the next generation of Latin music creators remains steadfast. Through the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation, we bolster programs that provide young musicians with access to instruments and a first-class education,” said Manuel Abud, CEO of The Latin Recording Academy®. “Together, with the generosity of the Ford Motor Company Fund, and the dedication of the leadership and students at George Washington Educational Campus, we continue to preserve our cultural heritage.” 

“Music education is an important component of providing students with a well-rounded education. We are proud to support the Latin GRAMMY In The Schools educational program and the donation of musical instruments to inspire and motivate students to pursue their musical studies,” said Yisel Cabrera, Senior Manager, Ford Motor Company Fund.

The performing arts program at George Washington Educational Campus was launched by Velázquez in 2015, in partnership with former principal Juan Villar. Together, they saw a unique opportunity to leverage musical theater as a holistic learning tool where students would cultivate performance skills in a safe space and develop their confidence, learn and improve fluency in English, and gain a better understanding of complex subject matters in a creative and immersive environment. The program has continued to grow thanks to the incredible support of the new administration and current principal, Sofia Russo, who have been instrumental in helping to usher in change and continue to champion the program’s expansion for the school.

The vision included plans for built-in music and TV studios at George Washington Educational Campus which are nearing completion. Over the last seven years, Velázquez and her students have been hard at work bringing productions to life. As a result of their efforts, the program will be expanding this fall to include a teacher who will focus on dance and choreography that has been in place since 2015 but did not have a full-time teacher. Willi Mena, the new teacher and choreographer, has been collaborating with Velázquez for years in other productions. Over the course of the next school year, each department will work together to execute new productions. The theater department will focus on the acting company of characters, the technical theater department will develop lighting and set design, the music school will master the score and the dance department will center on the choreography. In the future, the program aims to also incorporate a costume department. 

Since the beginning of the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation's partnership with Ford Motor Company Fund in 2014, more than 28,660 students have benefited from donations exceeding $560,000 worth of musical instruments to schools in U.S. cities such as Aransas Pass, Dallas, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, and New York; as well as internationally in Buenos Aires, Argentina; Mexico City, Mexico; Arecibo, Humacao, Yauco, and San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Latin GRAMMY In The Schools is an educational program that informs and connects music students with professionals in the Latin music industry and supports educational music departments that have financial limitations. The Foundation invites artists, professional musicians, and sound engineers to visit middle and high schools, universities, or music education institutions to share their personal stories and experiences with students that highlight 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.

 

Previous artists who have participated in the program include: 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, Becky G, Karol G, Kany García, Gente de Zona, Leslie Grace, Carlos Jean, Jesse & Joy, Natalia Lafourcade, Poncho Lizárraga, Claudia Montero, Ednita Nazario, Christian Nodal, Ángel "Cucco" Peña, Prince Royce, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Olga Tañón, Thalía, Christian Serratos, Diego Torres, Carlos Vives, Wisin, and Sebastián Yatra.

 

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ABOUT LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA:

Lin-Manuel Miranda is a Pulitzer Prize, GRAMMY, Emmy and Tony Award-winning songwriter, actor and director. He is the creator and original star of Broadway’s Tony-winning Hamilton and In the Heights. His additional Broadway credits include Freestyle Love Supreme (co-founder, guest star, Special Tony Award recipient), Bring It On: The Musical (co-composer/co-lyricist, Tony nomination for Best Musical), and West Side Story (2009 revival, Spanish translations). Miranda is the recipient of the 2015 MacArthur Foundation Award, the 2018 Kennedy Center Honors and the 2019 Portrait of a Nation Prize. He received an Emmy Award with Tom Kitt for their song, “Bigger” from the 67th Annual Tony Awards. Miranda and his family are active supporters of initiatives that increase people of color’s representation throughout the arts and government, ensure access to women’s reproductive health, and promote resilience in Puerto Rico. His film and TV credits include: tick, tick … Boom!, Encanto, Vivo, In the Heights, Hamilton (2021 Emmy Award), His Dark Materials, Fosse/Verdon, We The People, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Curb Your Enthusiasm (2018 Emmy nomination, Guest Actor), Saturday Night Live (2017 Emmy Nomination, Guest Actor), Sesame Street, The Electric Company, House, DuckTales, 200 Cartas, The Odd Life of Timothy Green, Moana (2017 Oscar nomination, GRAMMY Award for Best Original Song) and Mary Poppins Returns. Miranda received his B.A. from Wesleyan University in 2002. He lives with his family in New York.

 

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 $6.5 million with the support of Latin Recording Academy members, artists, corporate sponsors and other generous donors. For additional information, or to make a donation, please visit latingrammyculturalfoundation.com, Amazon Smile or our Facebook page. And follow us @latingrammyfdn on Twitter and Instagram, and at Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation on Facebook. 

 

About Ford Motor Company Fund:

As the automaker's philanthropic arm, Ford Motor Company Fund has been supporting underserved and underrepresented communities for more than 70 years. Working with dealers and nonprofit partners in more than 50 countries, Ford Fund provides access to opportunities and resources that help people reach their full potential. Since 1949, Ford Fund has invested more than $2.2 billion in programs that support education, promote safe driving, enrich community life and encourage employee volunteering. For more information, visit www.fordfund.org or join us at @FordFund on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

 

MEDIA CONTACTS:

               

The Latin Recording Academy                                                        

Nathalie Alberto

Nathalie.Alberto@grammy.com                                                                                               

 

The Exclusive Agency on behalf of The Latin Recording Academy

Elina Adut

Eadut@eadut.com

The event will honor legends and icons, celebrating the region’s musical past, present and future

MIAMI (AUGUST 29, 2025) — On Wednesday, September 10th, The Latin Recording Academy®, in collaboration with la Junta de Andalucía, continues its calendar of events in the Andalusian community, which began in 2023, hosting Latin GRAMMY® Celebra: La Música de Andalucía in Sevilla.

The event, taking place at the Cartuja Center CITE, will pay tribute to some of Andalucía’s most influential artists, immortal voices and unique talents that embody the region’s vast musical heritage, from legends and icons to artists representing both the past, present and future. The event will showcase the genre diversity flourishing in Andalucía, from traditional flamenco to contemporary Latin music rhythms. With a journey spanning centuries of creativity and innovation, the event will recognize the region’s lasting influence on global music.

In addition to those already confirmed, David Bisbal, Manuel Carrasco, Vanesa Martín and India Martínez, the evening will also feature special performances by Aitana, Arde Bogotá, Arcángel, Camilo, Yerai Cortés, Estopa, Evaluna, Guillermo Furiase, Joaquina, Lagartija Nick, Pedro Antonio Lazaga, Leiva, Alejandro Lerner, Ara Malikian, Kiki Morente and Lucía Ruibal, among others, to be announced.

Macarena Moreno and the team from The Latin Recording Academy, led by Ayleen Figueras, oversee executive production; Carlos Narea will handle musical production under the direction of Pablo Cebrián.

Presented by la Junta de Andalucía and sponsored by the Iberian ham brand Enrique Tomás, the proceeds from the event will support the region’s musical development.

The Latin Recording Academy and la Junta de Andalucía’s Consejería de Turismo y Andalucía Exterior continue to celebrate Latin music in Andalucía, following the success of last year’s Latin GRAMMY® Celebra: Paco de Lucía event, in Cádiz, and the Latin GRAMMY® Session, in Málaga.

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ABOUT THE LATIN RECORDING ACADEMY:

The Latin Recording Academy® is a 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 CONTACTS / EQUIPO SINGULAR:

María García: maria.garcia@equiposingular.com

Victoria Alonso: victoria.alonso@equiposingular.com

Amazon Music joins for the second consecutive year as presenting sponsor of the Latin GRAMMY® Week event

For images, click here

MIAMI (AUGUST 19, 2025) — The Latin Recording Academy® announced its 2025 Leading Ladies of Entertainment honorees. The program, created nine years ago, honors and recognizes professional and socially conscious women in the arts and Latin entertainment fields who have made significant contributions and inspired future leaders.

This year’s honorees are:

• Maricarmen “Tuti” Bou, Vice President of Sony Music Entertainment in Puerto Rico

• Amarilys Germán, Entertainment Executive and Manager to Latin GRAMMY® and GRAMMY®-winning artist Juan Luis Guerra

• Paula Kaminsky, Managing Director at Global Talent Services US (GTS), a talent management agency

• Rozalén, Latin GRAMMY®-nominated singer/songwriter

“I am proud to present our Leading Ladies of Entertainment honorees, an exceptional group of women who have distinguished themselves not just through their successful careers but also through their work outside of the professional realm,” said Manuel Abud, CEO of The Latin Recording Academy. “Our past honorees have helped grow our Mentorship Program, and we look forward to having this year’s class continue that legacy and empower future generations of young women.”

The private event to celebrate this year’s honorees will take place during Latin GRAMMY® Week in Las Vegas, with Amazon Music joining as presenting sponsor for the second consecutive year. Amazon Music is also donating to the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation®’s Scholarship Fund in support of future Latin music makers. In addition, Espolòn Tequila joins as the official sponsor of the event. Moira Noriega will serve as executive producer of the event, working under the direction of The Latin Recording Academy’s production team led by Ayleen Figueras.

"We are thrilled to continue our support of The Latin Recording Academy's Leading Ladies of Entertainment for a second year. These exceptional women exemplify the leadership, innovation and dedication that are driving the Latin music industry forward,” said Rocío Guerrero, Director of Music, Latin-Iberia at Amazon Music. “Through this initiative and our contribution to the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation's Scholarship Fund, we're committed to supporting and amplifying the voices of future generations of female leaders in Latin music. The impact these honorees have made both professionally and through their community work perfectly aligns with the mission at Amazon Music to elevate and celebrate Latin talent."

This year’s class, along with past honorees, are invited to become mentors of the Leading Ladies of Entertainment Mentorship Program, hosted by the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation. Paying-it-forward and forging opportunities for future generations is a core pillar of this initiative, and the program aims to foster the next generation of women in the industry. Applications for the mentorship program will open at a future date to be announced. For any questions, email lgcf@grammy.com.

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ABOUT MARICARMEN “TUTI” BOU:

Veteran executive Maricarmen “Tuti" Bou began her career in the music industry in 1988 with what was then CBS Records, which would later become Sony Music. At 26, she was named publicist for the record label, and since then, she has launched the careers of Latin GRAMMY® and GRAMMY®-nominated artists including Shakira, Elvis Crespo, Chayanne and Ricky Martin. Her ability to recognize emerging talent has led her to manage Latin GRAMMY® winners and GRAMMY® nominees Kany García and Pedro Capó during her more than 37 years at Sony Music. Beyond her work as a music and entertainment executive, Bou is also committed to philanthropic causes, collaborating with organizations like SER, Fundación CAP, and, most recently, True Self Foundation, which supports the LGBTQ+ community in Puerto Rico. She currently serves as Vice President of Sony Music in Puerto Rico.

ABOUT AMARILYS GERMÁN:

Amarilys Germán is a distinguished entertainment executive and manager of Juan Luis Guerra, recognized for her key role in promoting artists internationally. Born in Santo Domingo and trained in tourism and public relations, she began her career collaborating with local groups and figures such as Kinito Méndez. Her talent for production and management led her to work on international events with Latin GRAMMY® and GRAMMY® award-winning artists such as Maná, Ricky Martin, and Shakira, establishing herself as a leader in public relations and show production. Since 1998, she has led Guerra's career, coordinating world tours, media strategies and global partnerships. She also helped the growth of talents such as Vicente García early in his career. With more than two decades of experience, Germán is distinguished by her leadership, strategic vision and commitment to artistic excellence.

ABOUT PAULA KAMINSKY:

Paula Kaminsky is a renowned marketing executive with over 20 years of experience in the entertainment and marketing industries. She currently serves as Managing Director at Global Talent Services US (GTS) where she specializes in talent management. At GTS, Kaminsky is focused on the development of key artists, including: Ela Taubert, who won the 2024 Latin GRAMMY® for Best New Artist, has accumulated over 380 million Spotify streams, and has also inked deals with Coca-Cola, Toyota and Diesel; and Joaquina, who won Best New Artist at the 2023 Latin GRAMMYs® at age 19 and has sponsorship deals with JCPenney, NARS Cosmetics and Sony. She also works with rising stars like Roa, Andry Kiddos and Kobi Cantillo, among others. Throughout her career, she has been recognized for her responsible, creative, and determined approach. Her extensive background includes leading campaigns and initiatives for developing artists as well as growing those of established talent.

ABOUT ROZALÉN:

Rozalén is one of the most influential singer/songwriters in the Spanish-speaking world, celebrated for her artistic excellence and unwavering commitment to social causes. With six acclaimed studio albums, she has earned multiple Gold and Platinum records, a Goya Award, the 2021 National Award for Contemporary Music in Spain and several Latin GRAMMY® nominations. A psychologist with a master’s in music therapy, she has built a body of work that uses music as a powerful tool for transformation, addressing themes such as gender equality, inclusion, mental health, historical memory and social justice. She is the author of “La Puerta Violeta,” a Latin GRAMMY®-nominated feminist anthem against gender-based violence, and other widely recognized songs that have become social hymns. Her concerts are pioneers in accessibility, always featuring Beatriz Romero, a sign language interpreter who shares the spotlight to fully integrate deaf audiences. Over the years, she has collaborated with leading artists including Joaquín Sabina, Jorge Drexler, Kany García, Carlos Vives and Mon Laferte, among many others. Beyond the stage, Rozalén works with organizations such as Entreculturas, Plan International, Save the Children and Médicos Sin Fronteras, participating in education, health and human rights projects in countries including Colombia, Bolivia, Chad and Guatemala.

ABOUT THE LATIN RECORDING ACADEMY:

The Latin Recording Academy® is a 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.

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. And follow us @latingrammyfdn on Instagram and at Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation on Facebook and LinkedIn.

ABOUT AMAZON MUSIC:

Amazon Music is an immersive audio entertainment service that connects fans, artists, and creators through music, podcasts, and culture. Amazon Music brings fans closer to what they love, with curated and personalized playlists, artist livestreams, artist merch, and Amazon Exclusive podcasts. Prime members get access to over 100 million songs in shuffle mode, All-Access playlists, plus the largest catalog of top ad-free podcasts, included with their membership. Customers can upgrade to Amazon Music Unlimited for full, on-demand access to 100 million songs in HD and a growing catalog of Ultra HD and Spatial audio. Anyone can listen to Amazon Music by downloading the free Amazon Music app, or wherever they listen to music, including Alexa-enabled devices. Learn more at www.amazonmusic.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:

The Latin Recording Academy

Nathalie Alberto

Nathalie.Alberto@grammy.com

The Foundation awarded more than $1.3 million across a total of 49 scholarships

to music students around the world

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

Click here for more images

MIAMI (AUGUST 13, 2025) — The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation® awarded the 2025 Warner Music Latina Scholarship to trumpeter Arlen Borrego Miranda during a special ceremony at the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami. The ceremony, hosted by 2022 Prodigy Scholarship recipient Valentina García, featured a performance by Latin GRAMMY® and GRAMMY®-nominated artist Elena Rose, alongside scholarship recipients and alumni. The musical director for the evening was Latin GRAMMY and GRAMMY-winning producer, composer and conductor Carlos Fernando López, a triple graduate of the Frost School of Music. Additionally, 48 more scholarships were awarded to music students around the world.

Also known as the Prodigy Scholarship, the annual award supports music education and Latin music genres, and was sponsored by a record label for the first time in the Foundation’s history. The scholarship allows Borrego Miranda to pursue a bachelor's degree at Berklee College of Music starting this fall. In addition, it also supports the costs of tuition, room, board and wrap around services that include ongoing mentorship and learning opportunities provided in partnership with the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation. Previous sponsors include: Sebastián Yatra (2024), Nicky Jam (2023), Sofia Carson (2022), Juanes (2021), Julio Iglesias (2020), Emilio and Gloria Estefan (2019), Carlos Vives (2018), Miguel Bosé (2017), Juan Luis Guerra (2016) and Enrique Iglesias (2015).

Since its establishment in 2014, the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation has committed an extraordinary sum of more than $13.9 million in scholarships, grants, musical instruments and educational programs throughout the United States and Ibero-America.

“Each year we have the privilege and responsibility of reviewing and awarding scholarships made possible by the generosity of our donors,” said Raquel "Rocky" Egusquiza, Executive Director of the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation. “We are moved by the talented students and grateful to our partners who have enabled us to provide more than $1.3 million across 49 scholarships to music students worldwide, ensuring the rich legacy of Latin music.”

“At Warner Music Latina we believe in the power of education as a catalyst for creativity and cultural preservation,” said Roberto Andrade, Managing Director at Warner Music Latina. “Partnering with the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation to sponsor the Prodigy Scholarship reflects our long-term commitment to nurturing the next generation of Latin music talent. We’re proud to help Arlen take this next step and are honored to support the future of our music.”

“Music has saved my life. Finding this path from a young age and having the opportunity to pursue this dream, thanks to the support of Warner Music Latina and the incredible Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation, exceeds everything I ever imagined,” said Borrego Miranda. “I am committed to making the most of this incredible gift by working hard and making everyone proud. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

Additionally, the Foundation awarded the first Emerging Talent Scholarship, in partnership with Berklee College of Music, to saxophonist Aina López Pla. The Emerging Talent Scholarship covers a bachelor’s degree at Berklee, room and board, as well as a laptop and ongoing mentorship and learning opportunities provided in partnership with the Foundation.

The Foundation also announced the recipients of its Gifted Tuition Scholarships and Tuition Assistance Scholarships—with an additional 48 talented students from diverse backgrounds receiving the opportunity to pursue an education at some of the most prestigious music institutions in the world.

Gifted Tuition Scholarship Recipients:

Two (2) Gifted Tuition Scholarships of up to $120,000 each were awarded to students to cover tuition costs towards a four-year bachelor's degree in music, and wrap around services, starting this fall:

• Frost School of Music at the University of Miami awarded one scholarship to vocalist Irenda Arano Díaz to attend the elite music school.

• Gil Family Foundation awarded one scholarship to drummer Miguel Francisco Pie Gil to attend the school of his choice.

Tuition Assistance Scholarship Recipients:

In addition, 45 students each received the Tuition Assistance Scholarship, a one-time scholarship that ranges in value from $10,000 to up to $12,500 toward the tuition costs for the university or college of their choice and includes wrap around services provided by the Foundation.

For the second consecutive year, Gibson Gives, Gibson’s philanthropic division, sponsored three (3) Tuition Assistance Scholarships—awarded to students who study guitar as their principal instrument—and gifted a Gibson guitar to each of their respective scholarship recipients.

Further generating impact, AIE Sociedad de Artistas, Amazon Music, Bulova, Kraft Family Inc. and Open Society Foundations sponsored Tuition Assistance Scholarships. To view all scholarships awarded and their respective recipients, please refer to the chart below for additional details.

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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. 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.

MEDIA CONTACT:

The Latin Recording Academy

Nathalie Alberto

Nathalie.Alberto@grammy.com

This year’s honorees include Susana Baca, Enrique Bunbury, Ivan Lins, Pandora,

Eric Schilling and Olga Tañón

Click here for additional images

MIAMI (AUGUST 7, 2025) — The Latin Recording Academy® announced today that Susana Baca, Enrique Bunbury, Ivan Lins, Pandora and Olga Tañón will receive this year's Lifetime Achievement Award, as part of its annual Special Awards Presentation. Additionally, Eric Schilling will receive the Trustees Award. The first recipient of the Latin Music Educator Award will also be recognized during the ceremony.

“It is an immense privilege to honor these musical legends—who continue redefining our Latin music and heritage—as well as our inaugural Latin Music Educator Award recipient,” said Manuel Abud, CEO of The Latin Recording Academy. “We look forward to celebrating them all as part of our 26th Annual Latin GRAMMY® Week festivities.”

The Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to performers who have made creative contributions of outstanding artistic significance to Latin music and its communities. The Trustees Award is bestowed on individuals who have made significant contributions to Latin music during their careers in ways other than performance. Both distinctions are voted on by The Latin Recording Academy's Board of Trustees.

The Latin Music Educator Award is a new distinction, in partnership with the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation®, that recognizes one exceptional educator from the global music community who is making a significant impact by incorporating Latin music into their curriculum. Additionally, the recipient’s school music program will receive a $10,000 instrument donation to support continued music education.

The honorees will be celebrated during a private event, presented for the second consecutive year by Windstar Cruises, on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, in Las Vegas.

2025 Lifetime Achievement Award Honorees:

Susana Baca (Peru)

Throughout a distinguished career that spans decades, Susana Baca has investigated, cherished and safeguarded the once forgotten traditions of Afro-Peruvian music. A luminous performer — and three-time Latin GRAMMY winner and GRAMMY nominee — she belongs in the same exclusive group of folk songstresses as Mercedes Sosa and Violeta Parra. Born in 1944, Susana Esther Baca de la Colina grew up in Lima, surrounded by music. She initially worked as a schoolteacher, then began traveling across the Peruvian coastline with her husband, Ricardo Pereira, studying the country’s Black culture. By the mid-‘90s, her exquisite recording of the Chabuca Granda gem “María Landó” had established her as a global diva, igniting a growing interest in the Afro-Peruvian genre. In 2020, Baca demonstrated the purity of her vision with A Capella, a stunning solo session. She continues touring and recording to this day.

Enrique Bunbury (Spain)

Pioneering, musically omnivorous and intensely poetic, Enrique Bunbury is not only one of the most visionary rock stars ever to emerge from Spain, but also a 21st century master when it comes to crafting transcendent songs in the Spanish language. Born in Zaragoza in 1967, Enrique Ortiz de Landázuri Izarduy gained fame between the late ‘80s and the early ‘90s as the vocalist for the band Héroes del Silencio. But it was his solo output — beginning with classic albums like 1999’s Pequeño and 2002’s Flamingos — that found him developing a wondrous sound nourished by the reckless passion of Latin American folklore and the chiaroscuro shades of cabaret music. A live performer of hypnotic bravado, the Latin GRAMMY winner has continued to expand his stark aesthetic on memorable LPs like 2023’s Greta Garbo and 2025’s Cuentas Pendientes.

Ivan Lins (Brazil)

The creator of such timeless Brazilian anthems as “Madalena” and “Começar de Novo,” Ivan Lins is a keyboardist and singer/songwriter of staggering harmonic imagination and melodic genius — a Rio de Janeiro native who began his career under the spell of bossa nova, but quickly took flight and developed a deeply personal, cosmopolitan musical language of his own. Born in 1945, Ivan Guimarães Lins first gained exposure in Brazil during the late ‘60s. Gradually, his songs bewitched several generations of American jazz stars, from Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan to Quincy Jones and Michael Bublé. With over 800 compositions to his credit, the prolific Lins has been releasing new records from the ‘70s to the present. He is a two-time GRAMMY nominee and has won multiple Latin GRAMMYs, including Album Of The Year in 2005 for Cantando Histórias, a soulful retrospective live session.

Pandora (Mexico)

The landscape of Latin pop was forever transformed in 1985 when Mexican vocal trio Pandora released “Cómo Te Va Mi Amor,” the first of many international hit singles. It wasn’t only the song’s opening sax line, supple backbeat and sweet keyboard lines that captured the public’s imagination. There was also an air of hope and everlasting romance in the vocalizing of the band’s stars: sisters Isabel and Mayte Lascurain, and Fernanda Meade. Pandora’s now-legendary, self-titled debut was only the beginning. The GRAMMY nominees have collaborated with such musical legends as Armando Manzanero and Frank Sinatra, Julie Andrews and Luis Miguel. In 2019, Más Pandora Que Nunca expanded the trio’s repertoire with a number of stellar duets. Still going strong, Pandora is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year with Pandora 40, a new compilation album of their greatest hits from the last four decades, along with an autobiographical tome detailing their personal and professional trajectory.

Olga Tañón (Puerto Rico)

One listen of the 1994 mega-hit “Es Mentiroso” is enough to appreciate the inordinate amounts of attitude and swing that Puerto Rican singer Olga Tañón has brought to merengue — a genre that at the time was predominantly male and confined to the Dominican Republic. But Tañón is much more than a merengue superstar. She has experimented with a multitude of styles, lending her gutsy voice to bachata, salsa and Latin pop. Olga Teresa Tañón Ortiz was born in San Juan in 1967, and kicked off her career as a member of tropical group Chantelle before experiencing massive success on her own. From the vibrant urbano tropical fusion of 2017’s “La Gran Fiesta” to the feverish groove of 2021’s “Mi Forma De Ser,” the multiple Latin GRAMMY and GRAMMY winner continues to shine as a beacon of contemporary merengue music.

2025 Trustees Award Honoree:

Eric Schilling (United States)

The recipient of 12 Latin GRAMMYs and eight GRAMMYs, Eric Schilling is a visionary audio engineer who has shaped and transformed the sound of Latin recordings over the last quarter century. He began his career as a teenager, taping live radio broadcasts by rock legends in the San Francisco Bay area, where he was mentored by Motown veteran Bob Ohlsson. Moving to Florida proved serendipitous, as Schilling established a long-standing creative partnership with Gloria and Emilio Estefan, becoming their engineer of choice on classic albums such as Mi Tierra and 90 Millas. Schilling has also added a sumptuous sheen of audio magic to quintessential 21st century LPs by Shakira, Alejandro Sanz, Thalía, Juan Luis Guerra, Cachao and many others. An expert in engineering major broadcast events, he has also won 8 Emmy Awards for Outstanding Sound Mixing.

Alex Hadad will serve as executive producer of the event, working under the direction of The Latin Recording Academy’s production team led by Ayleen Figueras.

For the latest news, visit the official Latin Recording Academy site at LatinGRAMMY.com. Follow us on Facebook (LatinGRAMMYs), X (@LatinGRAMMYs), Instagram (@LatinGRAMMYs), and the Latin GRAMMYs WhatsApp Channel, and use #LatinGRAMMY on all popular social media platforms. The official Latin GRAMMY app is also available on iOS (Apple) and Android (Google Play).

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ABOUT THE LATIN RECORDING ACADEMY:

The Latin Recording Academy® is a 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.

ABOUT WINDSTAR CRUISES:

For four decades, Windstar Cruises has been reimagining small-ship cruising with a distinctive blend of relaxed luxury and genuine connection to the world’s most captivating destinations. From its origins with motor sailing yachts tailored for upscale yet casual travel, Windstar has grown into a diverse fleet of five Star Class all-suite yachts and three Wind Class sailing yachts, hosting only 150-350 guests each. Windstar is proud to support the arts with special activities, sponsorships and theme cruises throughout the year.

MEDIA CONTACT:

The Latin Recording Academy

Nathalie Alberto

Nathalie.Alberto@grammy.com