The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation launches the Sofia Carson Prodigy Scholarship

News

The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation launches the Sofia Carson Prodigy Scholarship

Latin GRAMMYs/Jan 18, 2022 - 08:00 PM

A four-year scholarship towards a bachelor's degree at Berklee College of Music and 43 additional scholarships are available to music students in need  

Deadline to Apply: April 10, 2022

MIAMI (JAN. 18, 2022) — The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation® is accepting applications for its 2022 scholarships beginning today. This includes their prestigious $200,000 Prodigy Scholarship co-sponsored, this year, by Sofia Carson, Global Ambassador for the Foundation, toward a bachelor's degree at Berklee College of Music. In addition, three Gifted Tuition, and 40 Tuition Assistance Scholarships will be awarded to music students admitted to universities of their choice. All scholarships are awarded to exceptionally talented music students, with financial need, to support their educational and musical aspirations. The Foundation is committed to investing in future Latin music creators from around the globe.

The four-year namesake Prodigy Scholarship, this year the Sofia Carson Scholarship, was created seven years ago and has been co-sponsored by Latin stars including Enrique Iglesias (2015), Juan Luis Guerra (2016), Miguel Bosé (2017), Carlos Vives (2018), Emilio and Gloria Estefan (2019), Julio Iglesias (2020) and Juanes (2021). This year’s scholarship will fulfill one exemplary student's dream of completing a bachelor's degree, in music at Berklee College of Music, starting in the 2022 fall semester.

The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation remains committed to help support closing the gender gap in the music industry.  In the 2020-21 season, the four most valuable scholarships were awarded to women, which represents 64% ($531,000) of the total scholarship amount awarded. Launching this year’s Prodigy Scholarship in partnership with Sofia Carson provides invaluable economic support and mentoring to an aspiring musician. Both Sofia and the Foundation are hopeful that Sofia’s co-sponsorship will serve as inspiration to young women wishing to pursue a professional career in music.

In 2019, songstress and actor, Sofia Carson, became the Global Ambassador for the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation, advocating, promoting, and increasing awareness of the Foundation’s mission and educational programs. As part of her efforts, she has participated in countless events to help raise funds and promote the primary charitable focus of providing scholarships to students interested in Latin music as well as grants to scholars, and organizations, worldwide, to research and preserve diverse Latin music genres, and music education programs.

“As Global Ambassador of the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation, it has been my privilege to witness, and contribute, towards realizing this transformational and life-changing mission. It is my immense honor to partner with my Foundation family to contribute to music education. This scholarship will change the life of an ever-deserving, brilliant, young Latin musician” said Carson. “Together, may we continue to amplify and lift up the powerful Latin voices in every corner of our world!”

This year the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation will distribute a maximum of $900,000 among 44 talented music students between the ages of 17 and 25 with financial constraints, as follows:

  • One Sofia Carson Scholarship awarded to one student for up to $200,000 to earn a bachelor’s degree from Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, starting in fall 2022

  • Three four-year Gifted Tuition Scholarships of up to $100,000 each will be awarded for students to earn a bachelor's degree in music starting in fall 2022 at the university of their choice.

  • Forty Tuition Assistance Scholarships of up to $10,000 each will be awarded to students pursuing a bachelor's degree in music. This is a one-time award that will cover tuition costs over one year: the fall 2022 and spring 2023 semesters.

</strong>*Gifted Tuition Scholarships and Tuition Assistance Scholarships are restricted to the payment of tuition.

“We continue to be humbled and honored to have Sofia’s ongoing support over these last three years as our Global Ambassador; her generosity truly has no bounds. It is inspiring to see young talent generously paying it forward and paving the way for future creators” said Tanya Ramos-Puig, President, Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation “As we enter our seventh year of providing scholarships and transformational experiential programming, we know that access, and educational equity, is pivotal in supporting future Latin music creators and preserving our cultural heritage for generations to come. It is truly a humbling reality made possible, year after-year, thanks to the gracious support of our partners.”

Each year, the Foundation's Scholarship Committee carefully evaluates applications from a highly competitive pool of aspiring musicians on a variety of skillsrigorous requirements that are both academic and artistic in nature. To date, the Foundation has awarded over $6.5 million in scholarships, grants, musical instrument donations and educational programming, and events, worldwide.

Starting today, Tuesday, January 18, 2022 the application will go live at: www.latingrammyculturalfoundation.com. As part of the process, students must complete an online application, submit two audition videos, two letters of recommendation, and an acceptance letter from an accredited university along with two completed essays. The materials can be submitted in English, Spanish or Portuguese.  The deadline to apply is 11:59 p.m. EDT on April 10, 2022.

For information and the latest news, please visit the official Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation website at: www.latingrammyculturalfoundation.com. If you have any questions after reviewing the guidelines or require assistance with your application, please email   LGCF@grammy.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® 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.comAmazon 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. As an award-nominated singer and songwriter, she’s garnered nearly 1 billion streams and 2 billion-plus views, reached #1 on the Billboard Top 200, and launched a dynamic catalog, including two gold-selling albums and four gold-selling singles thus far. As an actress, she has starred in NETFLIX’s Feel The Beat, Michael Bay’s Songbird, Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists, and Disney’s global phenomenon Descendant’s. Next, Carson will star in and executive produce “Purple Hearts” for NETFLIX. She will also co-write and perform the film’s original soundtrack. Her next single “LOUD,” was released just last Friday, January 14. As a philanthropist, she stands out as UNICEF’s newest US Ambassador, the first-female global ambassador of the Latin GRAMMY®️Cultural Foundation and a member of the first-ever Ambassadors Council for The Music Forward Foundation. As a style icon, Sofia is Global Brand Ambassador for beauty leader REVLON and has launched her own makeup collection. A Teen Vogue cover story by Priyanka Chopra Jonas summed her up best, “Sofia Carson has the grace of a pro.”

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 Latin Recording Academy® Launches Digital Content Series Celebrating Recipients Of Its Special Awards

News

The Latin Recording Academy® Launches Digital Content Series Celebrating Recipients Of Its Special Awards

Latin GRAMMYs/Feb 06, 2025 - 02:00 PM

Presented by Windstar Cruises, the series features conversations with 2024 Special Award honorees Albita, Alejandro Lerner and Ángel "Cucco" Peña

MIAMI (FEBRUARY 6, 2025)—The Latin Recording Academy® announced the launch of its digital series highlighting 2024 Special Awards honorees, presented by Windstar Cruises. The video capsules kickoff today, with the 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award recipient and Latin GRAMMY® winner, Albita. Throughout the month of February, 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award recipient and Latin GRAMMY nominee Alejandro Lerner, and 2024 Trustees Award recipient and Latin GRAMMY winner Ángel "Cucco" Peña, join the series to reflect on their distinguished careers and the defining moments that cemented their legacies in Latin music.

The series is part of a two-year agreement with Windstar Cruises, who serve as a presenting sponsor of The Latin Academy’s Special Awards Presentation, held annually during Latin GRAMMY® Week. The interviews feature an intimate glimpse into the lives and contributions of Latin music creators and will be available across all Latin GRAMMY social media accounts.

The Special Awards Presentation recognizes legendary artists whose careers have had immeasurable influence and impact within the world of Latin music. Both the Lifetime Achievement Award, presented to performers who have made creative contributions of outstanding artistic significance of Latin music and its communities, and the Trustees Award, presented to individuals who have made significant contributions to Latin music during their careers, other than through performance, are voted on by The Latin Recording Academy's Board of Trustees.

###

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.

ABOUT WINDSTAR CRUISES:

With a fleet of seven boutique all-suite and sailing yachts, each carrying between 148 to 342 guests, Windstar Cruises offers an intimate experience like no other. Guests can explore enchanting destinations across Europe, the Caribbean, Costa Rica and the Panama Canal, Alaska, Canada and New England, South America, Japan, and the South Pacific. Plus, Windstar operates year-round in Europe and will offer two unique ship experiences in Tahiti starting in 2027. Windstar will introduce two new ships to its Star Class beginning with Star Seeker in December 2025 and followed by Star Explorer in December 2026. At Windstar Cruises, it's not just about travel – it's about creating experiences that resonate with the soul. With port-intensive itineraries, iconic destinations, exceptional service, and an innovative culinary program, every moment with Windstar is an opportunity for discovery and delight. Windstar Cruises is proud to be part of the Xanterra Travel Collection®.

MEDIA CONTACT:

The Latin Recording Academy

Nathalie Alberto

Nathalie.Alberto@grammy.com

The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation® Hosts First Emerging Artist Intensive In Partnership With Berklee Global

News

The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation® Hosts First Emerging Artist Intensive In Partnership With Berklee Global

Latin GRAMMYs/Jan 30, 2025 - 03:00 PM

The immersive learning experience, sponsored by TikTok, guided aspiring music creators through song production, music business and stage performance techniques

Click here for more images

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

MIAMI (JANUARY 30, 2025) – The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation®, in partnership with Berklee Global, hosted the debut of their new Emerging Artist Intensive, the first in a series of immersive learning experiences for aspiring music creators. The day long workshop, sponsored by TikTok, was held at Miami Art Studio.

The program was led by Berklee’s faculty professor Enrique González Müller and jazz pianist, composer and educator, Zahili González, alongside Latin music industry leaders including Francisco Granados, Senior Vice President of A&R at Warner Music Latina; Pierre Hachar, Jr., Esq., an entertainment attorney; and Latin GRAMMY® nominee Vikina. The lecture guided more than 100 future music creators through the process of song production, music business and stage performance techniques, and spotlighted key areas like writing, producing and marketing music from conception to completion.

“Artists in the 21st century must be equipped not only to refine their artistry but also to successfully connect with their audience in meaningful ways,” said María Martínez Iturriaga, Senior Vice President at Berklee Global. “This program unites exceptional partners to empower participants with the skills, knowledge and opportunities needed to build and sustain thriving careers in today's dynamic music landscape.”

“At TikTok, we’re committed to empowering the next generation of music creators and celebrating the cultural impact of Latin music,” said Ara Yoo Han, Global Head of Social Impact at TikTok. “We’re thrilled to play a role in shaping the future of Latin music through this hands-on, immersive program.”

“We are proud to launch the first Emerging Artist Intensive with Berklee Global and TikTok,” said Raquel “Rocky” Egusquiza, Executive Director of the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation. “Together, we are furthering the Foundation’s mission to advance Latin music and its legacy via hands-on educational opportunities with leaders in the music industry.”

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

# # #

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 $10 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 TIKTOK:

TikTok is the leading destination for short-form mobile video. Our mission is to inspire creativity and bring joy. TikTok has global offices including Los Angeles, New York, London, Paris, Berlin, Dubai, Mumbai, Singapore, Jakarta, Seoul, and Tokyo. Visit: https://www.tiktok.com/. TikTok for Business is a global platform designed to give brands and marketers the solutions to be creative storytellers and meaningfully engage with the TikTok community. With solutions that can deliver seamlessly across every marketing touchpoint, TikTok for Business offers brands an opportunity for rich storytelling through a portfolio of full-screen video formats that appear natively within the user experience.

MEDIA CONTACT:

The Latin Recording Academy

Nathalie Alberto

Nathalie.Alberto@grammy.com

The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation® Announces The Paco De Lucía Legacy Scholarship In Partnership With The Paco De Lucía Foundation

News

The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation® Announces The Paco De Lucía Legacy Scholarship In Partnership With The Paco De Lucía Foundation

Latin GRAMMYs/Jan 21, 2025 - 11:00 AM

Valued at $120,000, the scholarship will cover tuition and wrap-around services that further the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation’s mission of offering educational opportunities to students with a passion for flamenco music

Deadline to Apply: April 10, 2025

MIAMI (JANUARY 21, 2025) – The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation® announced the Paco de Lucía Legacy Scholarship, the first of the Legacy Scholarship series, established in partnership with the Paco de Lucía Foundation. The scholarship furthers the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation's mission of supporting and cultivating the next generation of music creators, offering educational opportunities that advance Latin music and its legacy.

The Paco de Lucía Legacy Scholarship will award $120,000 toward tuition, including wrap-around services provided by the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation, for a student to attend the music institution of their choice.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to expand our reach to future Latin music creators through this scholarship, in partnership with the Paco de Lucía Foundation,” said Raquel “Rocky” Egusquiza, Executive Director of the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation. “It’s an honor to pay tribute to the legacy of one of the most influential guitar players in the history of flamenco and music in general, and forge new paths in his memory.”

Casilda Sánchez Varela, president of the Paco de Lucía Foundation, said, “It’s important to support young musicians through international platforms as prestigious as the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation, and, of course, through the artistic and personal legacy of maestros like Paco de Lucía.”

The scholarship will be awarded to a music student between 17 and 25 years of age who demonstrates a passion for flamenco music, is enrolled in the music institution of their choice, and faces financial limitations in pursuing a college degree. The student can pursue a bachelor’s degree at their preferred institution and begin their musical studies in the fall of 2025.

The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation is accepting applications for all 2025 scholarships until April 10, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. EDT. Click here to review 2025 guidelines and apply. The application includes two audition videos, two letters of recommendation, two essays, and an acceptance letter from an accredited university. Materials can be submitted in English, Spanish or Portuguese.

Last year, The Latin Recording Academy®, in collaboration with the Regional Government of Andalucía, hosted the Latin GRAMMY® Celebra: Paco de Lucía event in Cádiz, in homage to the guitarist. The event, attended by the Andalusian maestro’s family, was a journey through Paco de Lucía's life, accompanied by artists and friends who shared his path and performed some of his most beloved songs.

During the tribute, the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation, in collaboration with the Paco de Lucía Foundation and Berklee College of Music, exclusively premiered a recording and video clip of “Cositas Buenas,” composed by Paco de Lucía. The recording featured four Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation scholarship recipients, with arrangements and instrumentation by artists from the Alalá Foundation and production by Salomé Limón, a member of the Circle of Producers and Engineers of The Latin Academy.

To date, the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation has awarded 427 scholarships and invested over $10 million in scholarships, grants, educational programs and mentorships over the last decade.

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

# # #

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 $10 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 PACO DE LUCÍA:

Paco de Lucía revolutionized flamenco, taking his art from the smallest tablaos to the most prestigious stages worldwide. He combined tradition and avant-garde, resulting in a unique style that transcended genres. Works such as El Concierto De Aranjuez and Entre Dos Aguas redefined flamenco guitar, consolidating the maestro as one of the 20th century’s most influential musicians.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

The Latin Recording Academy

Nathalie Alberto

Nathalie.Alberto@grammy.com

Equipo Singular

María García: maria.garcia@equiposingular.com

Sofía Esnaola: sofia.esnaola@equiposingular.com

The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation Announces The First Emerging Artist Scholarship, In Partnership With Berklee College Of Music

News

The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation Announces The First Emerging Artist Scholarship, In Partnership With Berklee College Of Music

Latin GRAMMYs/Jan 08, 2025 - 02:00 PM

As part of its commitment to further the Foundation’s mission, Berklee College of Music pledges $825,000 in scholarships to be distributed over the next three years

Deadline to apply is April 10, 2025

MIAMI (JANUARY 8, 2025) — The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation® announced the first Emerging Artist Scholarship, in partnership with Berklee College of Music, toward a bachelor’s degree at the college for the 2025 fall semester. Through a series of scholarships, the institution furthers its commitment to advance the Foundation’s mission to provide educational opportunities that advance Latin music and its heritage, pledging $825,000 over the next three years for future music creators.

The Emerging Artist Scholarship is valued at $275,000, and covers a bachelor’s degree and room and board at Berklee, as well as wrap around services and ongoing mentorship and learning opportunities provided in partnership with the Foundation.

The Foundation has collaborated with Berklee College of Music for more than a decade, and many of its high school graduates and recipients of the prestigious Prodigy Scholarship have attended the college to pursue degrees in music.

“The collaboration between Berklee and the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation has been an excellent model in creating access to education and career opportunities for young artists,” said Jim Lucchese, president of Berklee. “The Emerging Artist Scholarship will continue and expand on this great work by offering additional pathways to help students achieve their dreams at Berklee.”

“The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation has been a tremendous supporter of our students, contributing many millions of dollars in scholarship support to some of our gifted artists,” said Damien Bracken, dean of admissions at Berklee. “In celebration of the Foundation’s 10-year anniversary commemorated in 2024, I am so pleased to establish the Emerging Artist Scholarship in partnership with the Foundation, a Presidential level scholarship for undergraduate studies. We look forward to continuing to explore new ways that Berklee and the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation can work together to support prospective students and applicants.”

“Berklee College of Music has been a committed partner of the Foundation for more than a decade, and we are so pleased to enter this next phase in our collaboration,” said Raquel “Rocky” Egusquiza, Executive Director of the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation. “We are grateful for Berklee’s ongoing support as together, with their generosity, we continue furthering the Foundation’s mission and expanding access to educational opportunities that advance Latin music and its heritage.”

The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation is now accepting applications for all 2025 scholarships until April 10, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. EDT. Click here to review 2025 guidelines and apply. The application includes two audition videos, two letters of recommendation, two essays, and an acceptance letter from an accredited university. Materials can be submitted in English, Spanish or Portuguese.

To date, the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation has awarded 427 scholarships, investing more than $10 million over the last decade in scholarships, grants, educational and mentorship programs.

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

# # #

ABOUT BERKLEE COLLEGE OF MUSIC:

Berklee is the preeminent institute of contemporary music and the performing arts, offering undergraduate, graduate degree programs, and other capacity building programs at its campuses in Boston, Massachusetts, New York, New York, and Valencia, Spain, through its award-winning distance learning program, Berklee Online, and the Berklee Abu Dhabi Center in the UAE. Dedicated to nurturing the creative and career potential of the world’s most inspired artists, Berklee’s commitment to arts education is reflected in the work of its students, faculty, and alumni—hundreds of whom have been recognized with GRAMMYs, Tonys, Oscars, and Emmys.

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 $10 million dollars 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