The Latin Recording Academy® Announces Róndine Alcalá, Mon Laferte, Simone Torres and Ana Villacorta López As The 2023 Leading Ladies of Entertainment

News

The Latin Recording Academy® Announces Róndine Alcalá, Mon Laferte, Simone Torres and Ana Villacorta López As The 2023 Leading Ladies of Entertainment

Latin GRAMMYs/Aug 29, 2023 - 01:00 PM

The event celebrates the achievements of professional women excelling in the fields of arts and entertainment

The third annual Leading Ladies of Entertainment Connect TogetHER Mentorship Program, in partnership with She Is The Music and the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation®, is now open for applications

For images click here

MIAMI (AUGUST 29, 2023) — The Latin Recording Academy® announced today its 2023 Leading Ladies of Entertainment honorees—an initiative created seven years ago to honor and recognize professional and socially-conscious women within the arts and Latin entertainment fields who have made significant contributions and inspired the next generation of female leaders. The private ceremony and luncheon will be held in Sevilla (Andalucía), Spain, on Monday, November 13, as part of the marquee events for Latin GRAMMY® Week.

This year’s honorees are:

  • Róndine Alcalá, founder of RondenePR, a music and entertainment public relations firm

  • Mon Laferte, singer/songwriter, multiple Latin GRAMMY® winner and GRAMMY® nominee

  • Simone Torres, GRAMMY®-nominated engineer and vocal producer

  • Ana Villacorta López, SVP Marketing and Promotion at Sony Music Entertainment México

“This diverse group of outstanding and successful women have made great contributions to Latin music,” said Manuel Abud, CEO of The Latin Recording Academy. “We are proud to celebrate them with this and other initiatives that seek to promote gender parity and honor the important role women play in the entertainment industry.”

The private ceremony and luncheon will be held in Sevilla (Andalucía), Spain, on Monday, November 13, as part of the marquee events for Latin GRAMMY® Week. 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.

In addition, El Corte Inglés, Viñas Familia Gil and Noteable by Spotify for Artists join the celebration as official sponsors; and the Consejería de Turismo, Cultura y Deporte de la Junta de Andalucía, with co-financing from Fondos Europeos, joins as institutional partner. Furthermore, for the third year, Noteable will be making another special scholarship donation to the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation®’s Scholarship Fund in support of future Latin music makers.

Paying-it-forward and forging opportunities for future generations is a core pillar of the program, and Leading Ladies of Entertainment has partnered with She Is The Music —a global nonprofit working to increase the number of women in music— and the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation on a collaborative mentorship program. Past Leading Ladies honorees will be invited to mentor a She Is The Music mentee. The partnership will build on last year’s Leading Ladies Connect TogetHER Mentorship Program.

Applications for the Leading Ladies of Entertainment Connect TogetHER Mentorship Program are now open through Friday, September 29, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. ET. The link to apply and guidelines are available at https://lgcf.smapply.io/. If you have additional questions, email us at lgcf@grammy.com.

###

ABOUT RÓNDINE ALCALÁ:

Róndine Alcalá, founder and owner of Rondene PR, started her career in public relations while working for international artist Luis Miguel in 1999 on his “Amarte Es Un Placer” world tour. Shortly after that she worked as senior publicist for a renowned PR firm in Los Angeles, where she developed and managed campaigns for superstars such as Alejandro Sanz, Shakira, Maná, Robi Draco Rosa, Enrique Iglesias, Ricardo Arjona, Sin Bandera, Alejandro Fernández and Julieta Venegas. Originally from Venezuela, Alcalá has contributed to the careers of global artists such as Ricky Martin, Juan Luis Guerra, Laura Pausini, Los Temerarios, Luis Fonsi, Soraya, Natalia Lafourcade, Pablo Alborán, Jesse & Joy and Camilo, as well as served corporate clients, at her own firm.

ABOUT MON LAFERTE:

Inside Norma Monserrat Bustamante Laferte also lives singer-songwriter and visual artist Mon Laferte. She began her career performing popular songs in the streets of Viña del Mar, on the central Chilean coast, during her adolescence. This growth continued in Mexico, a country that welcomed her with open arms and where she was able to independently release her first two albums, Desechable and Tornasol. A few years would pass before the arrival of the acclaimed Mon Laferte Vol.1, an album with which she conquered not only an increasingly loyal, affectionate and large audience, but also several Latin GRAMMY® nominations. New songs continued to appear over the years, until the 2021 release of the GRAMMY®-nominated 1940 Carmen, her seventh album, as well as its predecessor Seis. Mon Laferte is an artist with a vision that goes beyond genres and ways of making music. This experimentation, overcoming the fear of trial and error, perseverance and, of course, her talent, have made her one of the most beloved and influential Latin American female artists in the world.

ABOUT SIMONE TORRES:

GRAMMY® and Diamond Award-nominated engineer and vocal producer Simone Torres has worked on records for artists like Cardi B, Camila Cabello, Becky G and Anitta. Some notable accomplishments include vocal producing Normani’s “Motivation” and engineering Cardi B’s “I Like It” and “Be Careful.” Recently she’s worked with Becky G on multiple records including her latest single “La Nena.” She believes that her role is to help bridge the gap between the technical and the creative aspects of making music. A Berklee College of Music graduate, Torres is known for her deft touch when it comes to vocal production. Beyond the studio, she works with organizations to create safe spaces that foster young women and gender expansive folks seeking music careers.

ABOUT ANA VILLACORTA LÓPEZ:

Ana Villacorta López joined the music entertainment industry in 1981. After a brief stint at RCA, she worked for over a decade at EMI, primarily as Director of International Development in Spain. In 1993 she assumed the position of Regional Marketing Director at EMI and moved to Mexico. Five years later she joined BMG as Marketing Director of Ariola. After the merger with Sony, she took over as Marketing Director, and in 2015 she returned to Mexico as Senior Vice President. She has accompanied many artists in their careers, including Rocío Durcal, Julio Iglesias, Héroes del Silencio, Thalía, Fito Páez, Tony Bennett, Maná, One Direction, Vicente Fernández, Joaquín Sabina, Joan Manuel Serrat, Reik, Carlos Rivera and Camila.

ABOUT SHE IS THE MUSIC:

She Is The Music (SITM) is a global nonprofit working to increase the number of women in music and transform the gender landscape of the industry. Operating as a unifying network for the music business and beyond, SITM provides resources and support for female-focused initiatives, both through its own programs as well as external efforts worldwide. A first-of-its-kind collaboration, SITM is powered by industrywide representation: creators, publishers, record labels, talent agencies, management companies, industry groups, think tanks, media companies, streaming services and more. Entertainment Industry Foundation serves as a partner. For more information, visit sheisthemusic.org.

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 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 $9.3 million with the support of The Latin Academy’s members, artists, corporate sponsors and other generous donors. For additional information or to make a donation, please visit latingrammyculturalfoundation.com or our Facebook page. And follow us @latingrammyfdn on X and Instagram, and at Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation on Facebook.

MEDIA CONTACT:

The Latin Recording Academy

Nathalie Alberto

Nathalie.Alberto@grammy.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