The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation® and Junta de Andalucía join forces to offer a live educational program
The Foundation provided a musical instrument donation valued at $20,000 ((18.905€)
The President of The Junta de Andalucía, Juan Manuel Moreno Bonilla,
the Minister of Tourism Culture and Sports, Arturo Bernal, and the Minister of Education and Professional Development, Patricia del Pozo Fernández, attended the program
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Credit: John Parra/Getty Images for the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation
SEVILLA (NOVEMBER 10, 2023) — The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation® and Laura Pausini, Latin GRAMMY® and GRAMMY® winner and 2023 Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year™, came together to celebrate music education with future generations of Latin music creators at the Conservatorio Profesional de Música Francisco Guerrero in Sevilla, Spain.
In addition, for the first time, the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport of the Regional Government of Andalucía, with co-financing from European Funds, joins as the official sponsor.
The event was attended by the president of the Junta de Andalucía, Juan Manuel Moreno Bonilla, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports, Arturo Bernal, and the Minister of Educational Development and Professional Development, Patricia del Pozo Fernández, among other authorities.
As a global champion of music education that empowers communities all over the world through Latin music and culture, the Foundation is proud to bring the Latin GRAMMY in the Schools™ experience to students in Sevilla. The program featured a Q&A session with students moderated by Spanish RTVE reporter Marc Calderó, and featuring Pausini, along with a performance from the students who paid tribute to popular music from the Italian artist. As part of the educational experience, the Foundation provided a donation of musical instruments valued at $20,000 (€18,905) to the conservatory’s music program.
“I am honored to support the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation in its mission to provide educational opportunities that advance Latin music and its heritage,” said Pausini. “Being able to talk about my experiences in this industry with the next generation of creators is fulfilling and I’m grateful to share my music and all my career has taught me, to pave the way forward.”
The Conservatorio Profesional de Música Francisco Guerrero was established more than 35 years ago to elevate the cultural and musical level of Sevilla through quality musical education that enables students to reach their maximum artistic potential. To date, the school has more than 120 teachers and 1,100 students with 17 different instrumental specialties.
“We at the conservatory are very grateful because this donation will help us expand the musical training of our talented youth, of whom we are so proud and who have been represented in this unforgettable encounter today,” said Carmen González González, director of the conservatory. “Thank you to the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation and the Junta de Andalucía for putting the spotlight on this great group of musicians, and for giving us a wonderful experience with the renowned Laura Pausini, which we will never forget.”
“We express our heartfelt gratitude to the Junta de Andalucía for their invaluable partnership,” said Raquel "Rocky" Egusquiza, Executive Director of the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation.
“And we also thank Laura Pausini for her unwavering support and generosity,” continued Egusquiza. “Together, we continue to advance our mission of expanding access and opportunities for the next generation of Latin music creators worldwide.”
“Sevilla and Andalucía have become the world capital of Latin music, with all of its nuances, approaches and diversity of styles, among which Flamenco, the hallmark of our land, will be very present,” said Moreno Bonilla.
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 and professional musicians to visit middle and high schools, 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.
The Foundation has donated more than $790,000 in musical instruments to schools throughout the United States and Ibero-America in support of their music education programs. Since 2014, Latin GRAMMY In The Schools has benefited schools in U.S. cities such as Aransas Pass, Dallas, Detroit, 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.
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, El Fantasma, Becky G, Karol G, Kany García, Gente de Zona, Leslie Grace, Carlos Jean, Jesse & Joy, Natalia Lafourcade, Poncho Lizárraga, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Mau y Ricky, Claudia Montero, Ednita Nazario, Christian Nodal, 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 LAURA PAUSINI:
Laura Pausini is one of the most celebrated performers in Latin music today. She has seamlessly translated the emotion behind her songs into global success in six different languages, including in the Spanish-language market, where she launched her first album in 1994. Pausini has sold over 70 million albums worldwide and is celebrating 30 years in the music industry in 2023. In addition to her professional accomplishments, she has also used her platform to support philanthropic and humanitarian efforts concerning equality for women and LGBTQ+ people, hunger, poverty, climate change, as well as supporting entities that fight violence against women. Pausini has been honored with the Starlite Humanitarian Award, the Global Gift Humanitarian Award, and was named Person of the Year by the Diversity Media Awards for her support of the LGBTQ+ community. In 1995, she wrote and released “Il Mondo che Vorrei/El Mundo Que Soñé” for UNICEF and was named a spokesperson for LILA, Italian League for the fight against AIDS, in 2004. In 2014 she was also named Goodwill Ambassador of the World Food Programme and has organized and participated in concerts that brought relief to areas affected by natural disasters in Chile, Peru, Beirut, and Italy. In 2021, she won a Golden Globe for Best Original Song for “Io sì (Seen)” which she co-wrote with Diane Warren for the film La Vita Davanti a Sé. The song also earned her an Oscar nomination. Last year, she released the Amazon Original film Laura Pausini: Pleased to Meet You. The acclaimed artist launched her studio album Almas Paralelas in Spanish and Italian in October 2023, and will begin an extensive world tour in December, traveling to the most important stages in Europe, Latin America and the United States.
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 with the vision of becoming a global champion of music education and empowering communities through Latin music and culture. The Foundation provides educational opportunities through scholarships, education programs and grants that advance Latin music and celebrate its rich cultural heritage, and to date has donated more than $9.3 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, or our Facebook. And follow us @latingrammyfdn on X and Instagram, and at Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation on Facebook.
MEDIA CONTACT:
The Latin Recording Academy
Nathalie Alberto