The Latin Recording Academy to honor Eva Ayllón, Joan Baez, José Cid, Lupita D’alessio, Hugo Fattoruso, Pimpinela, Omara Portuondo, and José Luis Rodríguez "El Puma" with The Lifetime Achievement Award

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The Latin Recording Academy to honor Eva Ayllón, Joan Baez, José Cid, Lupita D’alessio, Hugo Fattoruso, Pimpinela, Omara Portuondo, and José Luis Rodríguez "El Puma" with The Lifetime Achievement Award

Latin GRAMMYs/Aug 22, 2019 - 01:00 PM

The Latin Recording Academy to honor Eva Ayllón, Joan Baez, José Cid, Lupita D’alessio, Hugo Fattoruso, Pimpinela, Omara Portuondo, and José Luis Rodríguez "El Puma" with The Lifetime Achievement Award

Mario Kaminsky to Receive the Trustees Award

MIAMI (Aug. 22, 2019) – The Latin Recording Academy® announced today that Eva Ayllón, Joan Baez, José Cid, Lupita D’Alessio, Hugo Fattoruso, Pimpinela, Omara Portuondo, and José Luis Rodríguez "El Puma," will receive this year's Lifetime Achievement Award. Additionally, Mario Kaminsky will receive the Trustees Award. The honorees will be celebrated during a private luncheon ceremony at the Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas on Nov. 13, 2019, as part of the milestone 20th anniversary Latin GRAMMY® week. Singer, composer and Latin GRAMMY winner Johnny Ventura, and renowned Mexican journalist Paola Rojas will be the hosts of the event.

"I’m delighted to recognize a remarkable and well-rounded group of individuals with this year’s Lifetime Achievement and Trustees Awards," said Gabriel Abaroa Jr., Latin Recording Academy President/CEO. "Each of these legends continues leaving their mark in the Latin music world through their talent, grace, and passion for creating sounds that have vibrated throughout our communities while helping to build our music for decades. We are looking forward to spotlighting their accomplishments during our landmark 20th anniversary Latin GRAMMY week."

The Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to performers who have made contributions of outstanding artistic significance to Latin music. The Trustees Award is bestowed to individuals who have made significant contributions, other than performance, to music during their careers. The Latin Recording Academy's Board of Trustees is the body that votes on both distinctions.

Lifetime Achievement Award Honorees:

Eva Ayllón (Peru)

Eva Ayllón is one of the most celebrated voices in the Afro-Peruvian tradition. Her career started as a member of the popular group Los Kipus, with whom she recorded a catalog of Peruvian folk gems marked by nostalgic melodies and lilting guitar harmonies, followed by a debut solo album, Esta Noche, six years later. Ayllón performed a series of unforgettable concerts at Lima's Teatro Municipal throughout the '90s. Her fame spread beyond South America, with frequent European tours, performances at Carnegie Hall, and a live DVD recorded in Los Angeles. Besides joining the Peruvian version of "The Voice" as a coach, Ayllón continues to tour while expanding her recorded repertoire with a wide array of Latin styles.

Joan Baez (U.S.)

Folk super star singer-songwriter Joan Baez bravely embraced her Latin roots in times where being Latino in the U.S. would backfire in most cases. By recording luminous versions of classic Latin anthems in the '60s, she helped pioneer the American roots revival, paving the way for like-minded artists such as Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell. In 1974, she released her Latin magnum opus, Gracias A La Vida, that framed her never ending context of fighting for the socially abandoned, civic causes and cultural values. With definitive renditions of "Guantanamera," Víctor Jara's "Te Recuerdo Amanda," and even the self-penned "Las Madres Cansadas" Baez has continued exploring an eclectic array of genres and styles across more than 30 albums.

José Cid (Portugal)

José Cid has effortlessly adapted the influence of Anglo popular music into an original style of Portuguese pop-rock. In 1956, the emergence of his cover band Os Babies marked a before-and-after moment for pop-rock in Portugal. His next group, Quarteto 1111, created the foundations of Portuguese rock, with a strong psychedelic tinge and groundbreaking releases such as the massive 1967 hit "A Lenda De El-Rei D. Sebastião." Continuing as a solo artist, in 1978 he released 10000 Anos Depois Entre Vénus E Marte, widely considered a progressive rock masterpiece. As he reached a new stage of musical maturity in the '80s, Cid turned his songbook to the roots of Portugal on the haunting Fado De Sempre. With dozens of hits under his belt, he remains a major concert draw in Portugal, releasing new music and live concert albums.

Lupita D’Alessio (Mexico)

Lupita D’Alessio, also known as "La Leona Dormida" (the Sleeping Lioness) began her career in the early '70s and continues to this day. She has moved effortlessly between slick pop hooks and epic ranchera sessions and has been a key singer in Mexican popular music for the past five decades. In 1971, she released her superb debut, Mi Corazón Es Un Gitano. Boasting ornate arrangements, the album included hit singles such as "Con Amor" and the title track, a cover of an Italian hit. By the mid-'70s, D’Alessio found additional success in the children's music genre and in the '80s she appeared on Mexican soap operas and had a string of radio hits. Since then, she has continued releasing albums and she re-emerged as a key performer after 2010 and in 2017 launched the autobiographical TV series "Hoy Voy A Cambiar."

Hugo Fattoruso (Uruguay)

Iconic Uruguayan keyboardist, singer, and composer Hugo Fattoruso is known for blending rock and roll, electric jazz, and bossa nova with traditional styles and creating his own contemporary sound, which led to a number of key records that span the past six decades of Latin music. Fattoruso began playing the piano professionally at age 12 with his father and brother Osvaldo—a lifelong collaborator—as part of Trío Fattoruso. In the mid-'60s he founded Los Shakers, which became one of the first bands to define the rock en español genre. The band's 1968 album, La Conferencia Secreta Del Toto's Bar, was a definitive masterpiece of the genre, and the next year Fattoruso and his brother released La Bossa Nova De Hugo Y Osvaldo. Fattoruso spent most of the '70s in the United States playing with the trio Opa before moving to Brazil in the '80s, where he worked with a gallery of musical giants, from Milton Nascimento and Chico Buarque to Djavan and Maria Bethânia. In recent years, Fattoruso has performed in a variety of formats and settings, continuing to explore the fusion of jazz and South American folk. His discography includes dozens of albums, rich in innovation and experimentation.

Pimpinela (Argentina)

Argentinian brother-sister duo Pimpinela's novel approach of mixing music with theatrical drama changed the face of Latin pop, generating sales of more than 30 million records. The emotional honesty and rich melodic content of their work struck a chord with the public beginning with their 1984 hit "Olvídame Y Pega La Vuelta." In the '80s they released albums in English, Italian, and Portuguese, and performed at the Viña del Mar International Song Festival, and collaborated with Spanish crooner Dyango. In the '90s they embarked on a change of style, favoring a more relaxed approach and experimenting with traditional Latin formats. Always eager to try new projects, in 2003 they released an album of Italian pop covers titled Al Modo Nuestro, staged the musical comedy Pimpinela, La Familia in 2010, and even published an autobiography in 2017.

Omara Portuondo (Cuba)

Few vocalists have enjoyed a career as dazzling and mercurial as veteran Cuban singer Omara Portuondo. Born in Havana in 1930, Portuondo began her career as a dancer before joining the all-female Orquesta Anacaona in the early '50s. In 1952, she and her sister Haydeé, along with Elena Burke and Moraima Secada, helped form the vocal quartet Cuarteto D’Aida, acclaimed for its refreshing combination of jazz harmonies and traditional Cuban styles. Portuondo remained with Cuarteto for 15 years, performing in Cuba and touring the United States while finding the time to record a stunning debut album, Magia Negra, in 1959. Later, Portuondo remained active as a member of classic charanga Orquesta Aragón, touring in Europe, Africa, and recording a series of solo performances. In 1999, her performance of "Silencio" with Compay Segundo for the Buena Vista Social Club film soundtrack was a highlight of the million-selling album. In 2000, the Social Club presented an exquisite album featuring Portuondo, and in 2009 she received a Latin GRAMMY Award for Best Contemporary Tropical Album for Gracias. At 89, she remains active in the recording studio and on concert stages around the globe.

José Luis Rodríguez (Venezuela)

José Luis Rodríguez, also known worldwide as "El Puma," transcended the boundaries of classic Venezuelan baladas and Latin pop, becoming a cultural treasure for people all over Latin America and in many countries around the world. He began his career singing as a kid with the pop group Los Zeppy, but in 1963, bandleader Luis María "Billo" Frómeta spotted him on a television show and invited him to join Billo's Caracas Boys (Venezuela's great Afro-Caribbean orchestra). Rodríguez spent four years singing boleros, merengues, and other tropical formats, honing the smoldering vocal style that he would later transpose to the balada genre. In 1968, he simultaneously released the album Lo Romántico De José Luis while acting in soap operas. In 1972, he expanded his style with a broader pop repertoire and gained his artistic moniker when portraying the character El Puma in the soap opera "Una Muchacha Llamada Milagros."  International success arrived in the late '70s, with recordings in Spain and the release of major hits such as "Voy A Perder La Cabeza Por Tu Amor," "Pavo Real," and "Dueño De Nada." In 2017, he survived a double-lung transplant and returned to action in 2019 with the appropriately titled Agradecido (Grateful) tour.

Trustees Award Honoree:

Mario Kaminsky (Argentina)

The enjoyment, promotion, and preservation of music has been at the core of Mario Kaminsky's professional life for over 60 years. The Argentine executive who was a native of Chile has been involved in every possible aspect of the business, including the intersection of music, film, and television. Kaminsky founded Microfón Argentina, a record label in 1959. It was through the management of this label that Kaminsky's strength as an eclectic tastemaker shone through, effectively changing the landscape of Latin music by recording pioneering artists such as singer/guitarist Atahualpa Yupanqui, folk groups Los Chalchaleros and Los Fronterizos, and iconic rock stars Charly García and Luis Alberto Spinetta. After tremendous efforts and not less success, Microfón and Mario became considered the home and father of rock en español. The Microfón catalog was sold to Sony in 1995, as Kaminsky continued to explore new creative avenues. From 1997 to 2000, he was president of the Argentine branch of Fonovisa Records. He has also played a prominent role in radio, television, music publishing, and film production.

Latin GRAMMY Week will culminate with the 20th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards®, which will be broadcast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Nov. 14, from 8–11 p.m. ET/PT (7 p.m. Central) on Univision.

For more information and the latest news, please visit the official Latin Recording Academy website at: LatinGRAMMY.com (#LatinGRAMMY).

Facebook: LatinGRAMMYs | Twitter: @LatinGRAMMYs | Instagram: @LatinGRAMMYs

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ABOUT THE LATIN RECORDING ACADEMY:

The Latin Recording Academy is an international, membership-based organization comprised of Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking recording artists, musicians, songwriters, producers, and other creative and technical recording professionals. The organization is dedicated to improving the quality of life and cultural condition for Latin music and its makers. In addition to producing the Latin GRAMMY Awards to honor excellence in the recorded arts and sciences, The Latin Recording Academy provides educational and outreach programs for the Latin music community either directly or through its Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation®. For more information about The Latin Recording Academy, please visit LatinGRAMMY.com.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

The Lippin Group on behalf of The Latin Recording Academy:

Elina Adut: EAdut@lippingroup.com

323.965.1990

The Latin Recording Academy:

Soledad Estrella: Soledad.estrella@ grammy.com

305.576.0036

The Latin Recording Academy® In Partnership With The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation Launches The Latin Music Educator Award

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The Latin Recording Academy® In Partnership With The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation Launches The Latin Music Educator Award

Latin GRAMMYs/Jun 26, 2025 - 01:00 PM

The first honoree will be recognized during the Special Awards Presentation at the

26th Annual Latin GRAMMY Week in Las Vegas

Applications now open, deadline to apply is September 5, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. ET

MIAMI (JUNE 26, 2025) — The Latin Recording Academy ®, in partnership with the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation®, is proud to announce the launch of the Latin Music Educator Award.

This new distinction will honor one exceptional educator from the global music community who is making a significant impact by incorporating Latin music into their curriculum. Applications are now open to educators worldwide currently teaching kindergarten through high school in a public, private or charter school, who speak Spanish, Portuguese, English or any native dialect.

The inaugural recipient will be honored at the Special Awards Presentation during the 26th Annual Latin GRAMMY Week in Las Vegas this November. Additional details will be shared in the coming months.

“Educators are pivotal in nurturing and shaping the future of Latin music and its creators,” said Manuel Abud, CEO of The Latin Recording Academy. “Together with the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation, we are proud to honor those who ensure the enduring legacy of Latin music.”

The honoree will receive an all-expenses-paid trip for themselves and a guest to attend the Special Awards Presentation. Additionally, the recipient’s school music program will receive a $10,000 instrument donation to support continued music education.

To apply and view guidelines, click here. Application materials can be submitted in English, Spanish or Portuguese. The deadline to apply is September 5, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. ET. If you have any additional questions, please email LGCF@grammy.com and/or visit http://www.latingrammyculturalfoundation.org/en.

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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 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 CONTACT:

The Latin Recording Academy

Nathalie Alberto

Nathalie.alberto@grammy.com

The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation® Opens Applications For Its 2025 Latin Music Research And Preservation Grant Program

News

The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation® Opens Applications For Its 2025 Latin Music Research And Preservation Grant Program

Latin GRAMMYs/Jun 18, 2025 - 01:00 PM

Four talented music institutions, nonprofit organizations, musicologists and researchers will receive a total of $20,000 for research and preservation of Latin music

Latin GRAMMY® winner and GRAMMY® nominee Silvestre Dangond will sponsor two grants in support of research and preservation of the vallenato genre

Deadline to apply is August 27, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. ET

MIAMI (JUNE 18, 2025) — The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation® announced that applications are officially open for its 2025 Latin Music Research and Preservation Grant Program. This program provides grants that support music institutions, nonprofit organizations, musicologists and researchers around the world dedicated to the research and preservation of Latin music heritage.

A total of four grants—each valued at up to $5,000—will be awarded this year as follows:

  • One (1) Research Grant for a maximum amount of $5,000, funding one project focused on historical research, folklore and anthropology of a Latin music genre.

  • One (1) Preservation Grant for a maximum of $5,000, supporting one project aiming to archive and preserve Latin music heritage.

To support the growth and development of vallenato, Latin GRAMMY® winner and GRAMMY® nominee Silvestre Dangond has pledged a dedicated fund to support the research and preservation of the folkloric music genre from Colombia as follows:

  • One (1) Research Grant for a maximum amount of $5,000, funding one project focused on historical research, folklore and anthropology of vallenato music.

  • One (1) Preservation Grant for a maximum of $5,000, supporting one project aiming archival and preservation of the heritage of the vallenato genre.

Dedicated funds are open to any artist or institution interested in this type of focused giving, as part of the international assistance provided by the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation to preserve and promote Latin music and its genres.

“Vallenato is not just my roots; it’s my reason for being. That’s why it fills me with pride to contribute to the preservation and research of this genre, which has told the story of our people for generations. Supporting this cause through the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation is my way of ensuring that the legacy of vallenato remains alive, evolving, and touching hearts around the world,” said Dangond.

“Supporting research and preservation is vital to honoring the rich legacy of Latin music, ensuring that future generations of creators understand its origins and remain inspired by its roots,” said Raquel “Rocky” Egusquiza, Executive Director of the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation. “Thanks to the generosity of our donors, and Latin music creators like Silvestre Dangond, these grants help fuel the future of Latin music.”

Since its inception in 2015, the program has awarded more than $255,000 in grants to support projects, one of which received both a Latin GRAMMY and GRAMMY.

To apply, view guidelines, and learn about past project winners please click here (the materials can be submitted in English, Spanish or Portuguese). The deadline to apply is August 27, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. ET. If you have any additional questions, please email LGCF@grammy.com and/or visit http://www.latingrammyculturalfoundation.org/en.

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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 $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.

ABOUT SILVESTRE DANGOND:

Colombian superstar Silvestre Dangond, a modern icon of vallenato, has taken the genre to new global heights during his more than two-decade career. With three Latin GRAMMYs® to his name, he has led successful international tours and collaborated with major artists such as Nicky Jam, Natti Natasha, Carin León, Emilia, Fonseca and Carlos Vives. His song “Tú o Yo” with Vives was recognized by Billboard magazine as one of the 24 best songs released in 2024. Following the success of his album ‘Ta Malo and his stadium tour across the United States and Latin America, Dangond is gearing up for the release of El Último Baile, a powerful new project with his longtime accordionist Juancho de la Espriella. For images of Silvestre Dangond, please click here.

MEDIA CONTACT:

The Latin Recording Academy

Nathalie Alberto

Nathalie.alberto@grammy.com

Raphael Named 2025 Latin Recording Academy Person Of The Year™

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Raphael Named 2025 Latin Recording Academy Person Of The Year™

Latin GRAMMYs/Jun 03, 2025 - 01:00 PM

The artist will be honored at a special gala on November 12 in Las Vegas, during

Latin GRAMMY® Week

Credit: syxestudio

Click here to access the image in high resolution

MIAMI (JUNE 3, 2025) – The Latin Recording Academy® announced that Raphael will be the 2025 Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year™.

Raphael will be honored for his more than six-decade career as a multifaceted singer and performer, which has established him as a true ambassador of Latin music worldwide. The artist will be celebrated at a special gala featuring a heartfelt tribute concert with renditions of his renowned repertoire, performed by a star-studded lineup of singers and friends. The gala is set to take place on November 12 in Las Vegas during Latin GRAMMY® Week.

“We feel tremendously proud to pay this well-deserved tribute to Raphael for an exemplary artistic career that has transcended borders and languages,” said Manuel Abud, CEO of The Latin Recording Academy. “His unmistakable style, resilience, and constant reinvention have kept him relevant throughout the decades, making him a source of inspiration for new generations of Latin music creators.”

“I feel deeply grateful to The Latin Recording Academy for this recognition that I have dreamed of receiving for many years. Being named Person of the Year thrills me immensely; it's the best way to celebrate so many years of dedication and love for music,” said Raphael. “Thank you to the audiences that have always stood by my side, to my dear colleagues, and the entire music industry. It's an honor I will always carry in my heart. I look forward to reuniting with everyone in November to celebrate together and give back all that affection through songs. A huge hug and my most sincere gratitude.”

Rafael Martos, known artistically as Raphael, was born in Linares, Spain, in 1943. Raised in Madrid, he discovered his passion at the age of four, and at nine he won the Best Child Voice in Europe award at the prestigious Salzburg Festival. He achieved international recognition after representing Spain in the Eurovision Song Contest with “Yo Soy Aquél” (1966) and “Hablemos Del Amor” (1967), and performing on the legendary The Ed Sullivan Show in 1970, among other highly acclaimed programs. His musical impact was complemented by a successful film career, appearing in movies like Al Ponerse El Sol (Mario Camus, 1967), El Golfo (Vicente Escrivá, 1969), and Mi Gran Noche (Álex de la Iglesia, 2015). With an extraordinary voice and a distinctive performing style, Raphael pioneered the internationalization of melodic songs. He has performed remarkable works written specifically for him by renowned songwriters like Manuel Alejandro and José Luis Perales, with hits such as “Digan Lo Que Digan”, “Qué Sabe Nadie” or “Escándalo”. He has performed at renowned venues like Madison Square Garden, the Olympia in Paris and the National Auditorium in Mexico. Throughout his career, Raphael has shown an impressive ability to evolve while staying true to a style that reflects his unique identity. In recent years he has released albums such as Victoria and his most recent Ayer...Aún, which includes a posthumous duet with Édith Piaf, his great reference. He has also been the subject of the documentary Raphaelismo, an intimate look at his life and career. After overcoming a brain lymphoma diagnosed at the end of 2024, he announced his return to the stage this year with Raphaelísimo, a new tour that will take him across Spain and Latin America. At 82, Raphael continues to sell out theaters, arenas, and stadiums with the same passion as on day one, and his influence has inspired numerous music creators worldwide.

The Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year honors musicians and their artistic achievements in the Latin music industry, as well as their humanitarian efforts. The past honorees are Carlos Vives (2024), Laura Pausini (2023), Marco Antonio Solís (2022), Rubén Blades (2021), Juanes (2019), Maná (2018), Alejandro Sanz (2017), Marc Anthony (2016), Roberto Carlos (2015), Joan Manuel Serrat (2014), Miguel Bosé (2013), Caetano Veloso (2012), Shakira (2011), Plácido Domingo (2010), Juan Gabriel (2009), Gloria Estefan (2008), Juan Luis Guerra (2007), Ricky Martin (2006), José José (2005), Carlos Santana (2004), Gilberto Gil (2003), Vicente Fernández (2002), Julio Iglesias (2001) and Emilio Estefan (2000).

Net proceeds from The Latin Academy Person of the Year Gala will go toward the charitable work of the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation.

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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 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 CONTACT:

The Latin Recording Academy

Iveliesse Malavé

ive@grammy.com

The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation®, In Partnership With Berklee Global, Host The Emerging Talent Intensive Program At Rec Música In Mexico City

News

The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation®, In Partnership With Berklee Global, Host The Emerging Talent Intensive Program At Rec Música In Mexico City

Latin GRAMMYs/May 23, 2025 - 02:00 PM

The immersive learning experience, presented by TikTok, debuts abroad guiding aspiring

music creators through production, songwriting, stage performance techniques

and music business

Click here for more images

Credit: Ángel Delgado/Getty Images for the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation

MEXICO CITY (MAY 23, 2025) – The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation®, in partnership with Berklee Global, hosted the second Emerging Talent Intensive Program, marking its international debut, at Rec Música in Mexico City. The immersive learning experience, presented by TikTok, took place over two days guiding 100 aspiring music creators through workshops focused on production, the essentials of songwriting including lyric and harmony analysis, song structure, stage performance and marketing music from conception to completion.

The curriculum was led by Berklee College of Music’s faculty professor Enrique González Müller and vocalist and educator, Kaimy Masse, alongside instructors from Rec Música including producer, arranger and pianist José Miguel Quijano Toledo, and producer and Jazz bassist Juan Carlos Sardaneta Cesari. Additionally, Latin music industry leaders joined the program, including Latin GRAMMY®-winning composer Mónica Vélez and Latin GRAMMY nominees Horacio Palencia, León Leiden and Paty Cantú, who also served as an official sponsor, as did Fiesta Americana and Kaiser.

"Berklee Global, the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation, and Rec Música have collaborated to create a program designed to equip today’s musicians with integrated skills across songwriting, production, performance and music business—all essential areas in the contemporary music industry,” said González Müller. “Educators from Berklee and Rec Música worked closely to develop custom, symbiotic teaching content with a focus on highlighting and engaging local Mexican artists’ music. The program—made possible through the generous support of TikTok—exemplifies music education excellence, uplifts local culture, and fosters ongoing collaboration within a transformative global network."

"For TikTok, music is part of our DNA," said Laura Reyna, Public Policy Manager for Latin America. "We have proudly taken our musical passion to concrete actions that have revolutionized music. Today, we are not only an ally of established artists, we are a catalyst for new talent and have established extraordinary partnerships with institutions such as The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation. Intensive programs like this help us continue to democratize the industry, remove barriers and professionalize those who have something to tell the world with their voice, an instrument and a melody that we will never forget."

"We are grateful to our partners for their support in bringing the second Emerging Talent Intensive Program to Mexico, marking its international debut thanks to the generous support of TikTok, Fiesta Americana, Kaiser and Paty Cantú," said Raquel “Rocky” Egusquiza, Executive Director of the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation. "Together, we are empowering communities through Latin music and culture. "

The Emerging Talent Intensive Program was launched earlier this year, and creates engaging, accessible experiences for aspiring performing artists. The program offers students the opportunity to participate in hands-on training through classes and jam sessions based on the broad and dynamic curriculum offered by Berklee College of Music professors and Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation guest panelists.

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

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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 $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.

ABOUT BERKLEE GLOBAL:

The Berklee Global division (BG) leads Berklee’s global engagement strategy with the goal of bringing a global perspective to Berklee’s overall institutional direction and creating new models for artistic, educational, and cultural exchange. BG oversees several key initiatives, including Berklee on the Road, a hallmark program that began with the launch of the Berklee at Umbria Jazz Clinics in 1985 and exemplifies Berklee’s commitment to bringing the classroom to the world—and the world into our classroom. Berklee on the Road programs have been delivered on six continents in 20 countries. BG also oversees the Berklee Global Partners Network—established in 1993 as a collective of independent music institutions, now comprising 24 partners across 22 countries. In 2020, Berklee launched Berklee Abu Dhabi, the institution’s first center in the MENA region, playing a key role in shaping the creative and artistic landscape of Abu Dhabi and the region by offering world-class educational programs, industry-focused initiatives, and the production of regional and international award-winning artists. Berklee’s reputation as a premier destination for the study of contemporary music and the performing arts is strengthened by this dynamic global presence and its leadership in delivering transformative learning experiences worldwide.

ABOUT TIKTOK:

TikTok is the leading destination for short-form mobile video. Our mission is to inspire creativity and bring joy. TikTok’s global headquarters are in Los Angeles and Singapore, and its offices include Mexico City, New York, London, Dublin, Paris, Berlin, Dubai, Jakarta, Seoul and Tokyo.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

The Latin Recording Academy

Nathalie Alberto

Nathalie.Alberto@grammy.com

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Alexia De la Rosa

alexia.de@tiktok.com