Meet the Berklee Grads Shaping Latin Music's Future

Meet the Berklee Grads Shaping Latin Music's Future The Miami-based alumni-along with collaborator and Latin Grammy winner Ela Taubert-share their insights and advice for up-and-coming artists looking to break into the industry.

By

Andrea Recalde

November 15, 2024

Clockwise, from upper left: Leon Yamil, Bere, KEVN, Ela Taubert, Isabel Rodriguez Siblesz, Nico Gonz lez

Images by (clockwise, from upper left): marphotofilms, Elliott Muscat (@elliottmuscat), Miguel Silva, Alejandro Pazmi o, JG Pixel Media, Samueth (@samueth)

Latin music continues to take the global stage by storm, and Berklee alumni are at the forefront of this movement. These talented producers, songwriters, engineers, and artists blend their cultural heritage with the cutting-edge skills they honed at Berklee, contributing to some of the most exciting music in the industry today. In this article, meet several distinguished Miami-based alums and a key collaborator-Ela Taubert, who won a Latin Grammy for Best New Artist this week. These rising talents recently spoke to students at an event sponsored by the Latin American Association of Berklee Students, sharing how their journeys, achievements, and career insights can help a new generation break into the ever-evolving industry.

KEVN (Kevin Aguirre)

Kevin Aguirre BM '20, known as KEVN, is a platinum- and gold-certified producer, songwriter, performer, and audio engineer from Bogot , Colombia. A powerhouse in the Latin music industry, he has worked with artists such as Ela Taubert, Daniela Calle, and Pablo Albor n, earning millions of streams. Nominated for Producer of the Year at Colombias Premios Nuestra Tierra awards, his work, including hits such as Taubert's C mo Pas ?, has achieved global acclaim. A summa cum laude Berklee graduate, KEVN continues to innovate and leave his mark on both Latin and international music.

KEVN's Advice for Aspiring Artists

Go the extra mile when working with peers-it's in those moments that strong, lasting connections are built: The relationships you build in those late-night studio sessions are the ones that last the longest.

Success requires resilience and a readiness to demonstrate your value in every project: At first, people won't value you-you must prove your worth.

Ela Taubert

Ela Taubert, a Colombian singer-songwriter from Bogot , blends her Latin roots with influences from Miley Cyrus, Adele, and Taylor Swift, creating a versatile sound across alternative and pop genres. Although she is not a Berklee graduate, she works closely with members of Berklee community in the Latin music industry. In November, she received a Latin Grammy for Best New Artist, and performed her KEVN cowrite C mo Pas ? with Joe Jonas on the Latin Grammy stage in Miami. With over 240 million streams, Taubert has hit Billboards Top 20 Latin Pop Airplay and Spotifys Viral 50-Global charts. Known for her vibrant music videos and empowering narratives, Taubert launched her Nuestro Refugio initiative in 2023, connecting with fans through acoustic performances and meet-and-greets. She has recently opened for Karol G in Bogot , and received nominations for Colombias Premio Nuestra Tierra and Univisions Premios Juventud awards.

Ela Taubert's Advice for Aspiring Artists

Know your worth: Don't be afraid to ask for what's fair for you and your team.

Don't be afraid to ask for clarification: One of the most important things I learned was to ask questions, even if I felt I should already know the answer.

Failure is a stepping stone to success: Learn to allow yourself to fail.

Nico Gonz lez

Nico Gonz lez BM '20 is a versatile producer, songwriter, and artist from Medell n, Colombia. After moving to Miami, he worked with renowned artists such as Camilo, Ela Taubert, Mau y Ricky, and Diego Torres, collaborating with major labels including Sony and Universal Music. Notably, he was an engineer on Camilo's Latin Grammy-winning documentary El Primer Tour de Mi Vida, and recently coproduced Camilo's album Cuatro.

Nico Gonz lezs Advice for Aspiring Artists

While technical skills are essential, being easy to work with is even more critical: Being a good person is more important than what you know.

Your value isnt determined by the size of the artist youre working with. Focus on the quality of your work.

You have to go through the process of unlearning after you graduate, he says, explaining that the industry demands continuous growth and adaptation. One must embrace flexibility and be open to new ideas.

Bere

Originally from Venezuela, Bere Gonzalo BM '21 began her post-Berklee career with an internship at Rebel 11 Studios in Miami. She progressed from assistant engineer to working with artists such as Bizarrap and Manuel Turizo. At Rebel, she served as an audio and recording engineer, playing a key role in mixing and editing to Netflix's La Firma, and later joined NEON16 as studio manager and head audio engineer. Bere was a recording engineer on Tainy's Grammy-nominated album Data. She has also worked with Quevedo, Natti Natasha, and Will Smith, recording Light Em Up for the Bad Boys: Ride or Die soundtrack.

Bere's Advice for Aspiring Artists

Building strong connections with peers and maintaining positive working relationships are more valuable than technical expertise: You're working with the future of the music industry right now at Berklee.

Choose projects that align with your values and career goals instead of overloading yourself: Don't just take any opportunity-know when to say no.

Learn to manage your finances wisely: Save your money and be smart with it.

Don't skip steps in your development: Don't rush the process-every step is important.

Isabel Rodriguez Siblesz

Isabel Rodriguez Siblesz BM '21 is an engineer and producer from Caracas

LINK:	https://www.berklee.edu/berklee-now/news/latin-music-alumni-ela-tauber...
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