Foundation Has Awarded Berklee Students Over $5 Million in Scholarships Since Inception
14/11/2023
By
Kimberly Ashton
November 13, 2023
The 2023 Prodigy Scholarship sponsor, reggaeton star Nicky Jam (center), on stage in Miami with previous scholarship award recipients.
Image courtesy of Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation
Itzel Reyna's obsession with jazz started suddenly. She was 16 and had no background in music when she went to see a documentary about the genre. What she heard in that Mexico City movie theater sounded to her like freedom.
Jazz was really like a revelation, Reyna B.M. '19, now 30, says.
She went home and told her family she needed a saxophone. My family was like, But really?' It was like out of nowhere, Reyna recalls.
What followed over the years was an intense dedication to the instrument-one that led her to getting an associate degree in Mexico, to attending Berklee's Five-Week summer program, and to eventually landing the first Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation Prodigy Scholarship, the Enrique Iglesias Scholarship.
Itzel Reyna B.M. 19 and Enrique Iglesias
Image courtesy of Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation
Established in 2015, the $200,000 scholarship covers a student's tuition and room and board for all four years at Berklee and is cosponsored by the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation and a prominent Latin artist. The artists change each year and have included Iglesias; Juan Luis Guerra '82, '09H; Miguel Bos ; Carlos Vives; Emiio and Gloria Estefan '07H; Julio Iglesias '15H; Juanes; and Sofia Carson.
The 2023 Prodigy Scholarship, which was awarded in Miami in August to Dominican pianist Leomar Cordero Castro, was sponsored by Puerto Rican reggaeton star Nicky Jam.
During the Miami award event, a video was played of the Zoom call notifying the Cordero family that Leomar, 20, had won the award. The call started with a split screen showing Nannette V lez B.M. '06, the foundation's senior director of programs; Raquel Egusquiza, its executive director; and Cordero.
We have a member of the committee who's going to join the call now to ask you a question, V lez told Cordero. At that moment, Nicky Jam appeared to share the news. Cordero and his father, seated next to him, broke out in smiles and hugged. Nicky Jam, whose mother hails from the Dominican Republic, said it fills him with pride that a Dominican will attend one of the best colleges in the world. He also joined Cordero and past scholarship recipients on stage in Miami.
Leomar Cordero Castro and Nicky Jam in Miami in August.
Image courtesy of Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation
On the Zoom call, Cordero thanked him for the award and for motivating not only me but also a large number of young people who are passionate about Latin music and our culture. In doing so, he underlined the mission of the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation, which was created by the Latin Recording Academy to further awareness and appreciation of Latin music's contributions to world music and to provide educational opportunities that advance Latin music and its heritage.
A large chunk of those educational opportunities are realized at Berklee. Of the $9.3 million in scholarships and other aid the foundation has awarded since its inception, about $5 million has gone to Berklee students. The Prodigy Scholarship is the largest of the annual awards but the foundation also gives out 43 other scholarships each year: three worth $100,000 each and 40 at $10,000 apiece. The vast majority of students who receive these awards attend Berklee.
To be eligible for the Prodigy Scholarship, a student must have been accepted to Berklee, be between the ages of 17 to 25, have financial need, and have a passion for Latin music. Applicants do not need to be Hispanic or Latin, and they can be from any country.
A committee of accomplished musicians around the world reviews roughly 1,000 applications each year and flags a few candidates for the top award. Of the candidates who have the highest scores, the sponsoring artist chooses which one will receive the Prodigy award, taking into consideration the applicant's musicality, technique, tone, rhythm, musicianship, originality, and overall performance.
Berklee's collaboration with the foundation goes back to the foundation's beginnings, when the college helped it establish a process to identify talent, merit, potential, and need. The foundation was also able to look at Berklee's structure for educational outreach and programming as a blueprint for how to build a multinational network that serves as many promising students as possible.
The shared goal of Berklee and the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation is to create more accessible pathways to education and to career opportunities, says Jason Camelio, Berklee's assistant vice president of Global Initiatives. The scholarship program is part of that collaboration, but other programs to expand access are also being developed, he says.
Alexis Soto B.M. '19
Meanwhile, the foundation recently announced two new initiatives. One, the Leading Ladies of Entertainment Connect Together Mentorship program, was established to mentor women interested in careers in the music industry. Another is the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation Scholarship Alumni Network, in which scholarship recipients can share their expertise with each other, mentor current students, network with industry pros, and gain access to exclusive events and resources.
Esmirna Ortiz B.M. '17
The alumni network's members, and those eligible for membership, are a testament to the success of the foundation's effort
LINK: | https://www.berklee.edu/berklee-now/news/launching-latin-talent... |
See more stories from berklee |
More from Berklee
12/10/2024
Why Recession Pop Is Hot-Even When Its Not a Recession
Why Recession Pop Is Hot-Even When Its Not a Recession Discover why fans turn to party anthems during times of economic crisis-or just when the vibes are off....
11/10/2024
Berklee Announces Gail Wilson as Vice President of Finance
Berklee Announces Gail Wilson as Vice President of Finance Wilson will oversee Berklee's budgeting, financial reporting, controller's office, and camp...
10/10/2024
Academic Leadership from Boston, Valencia Return for Abu Dhabi Educators Symposium
Academic Leadership from Boston, Valencia Return for Abu Dhabi Educators Symposi...
10/10/2024
All-Student K-Pop Bands Debut at K-Pop & Beyond Summit
All-Student K-Pop Bands Debut at K-Pop & Beyond Summit The diversity of the artists involved in the collaborative K-Pop Idol project, which developed the two ...
10/10/2024
Signature Series Presents Country Music: Black Roots and Branches
Signature Series Presents Country Music: Black Roots and Branches New Dangerfield, Dom Flemons, Donna McElroy, and Farayi Malek headline this October 29 conce...
08/10/2024
Charlie Puth's Comedy Show Is a Silly, Star-Studded Satire of Reality TV
Charlie Puth's Comedy Show Is a Silly, Star-Studded Satire of Reality TV All six episodes of The Charlie Puth Show are now streaming for free on The Roku ...
05/10/2024
Boston Conservatory Orchestra Presents Telling the Story at Symphony Hall
Boston Conservatory Orchestra Presents Telling the Story at Symphony Hall The program celebrates the art of storytelling through orchestral favorites and a co...
03/10/2024
Student Spotlight: Rafael Heredia
Student Spotlight: Rafael Heredia The flamenco percussionist is channeling the vibrant music scenes of Japan and Spain in his musical explorations at Berklee,...
03/10/2024
Berklee and Can We Talk Celebrate Healing Power of the Arts in BIPOC Communities
Berklee and Can We Talk Celebrate Healing Power of the Arts in BIPOC Communities Arts Activation 2024: Harmony and Healing (October 19) unites artists, thoug...
02/10/2024
Watch DREIONs Electrifying Shining Star Blind Audition on The Voice
Watch DREIONs Electrifying Shining Star Blind Audition on The Voice The Berklee alum wowed the coaches with his rendition of the Earth Wind & Fire classic. B...
02/10/2024
This Stevie Wonder Podcast Features the Obamas, Questlove, and Berklee Professor
This Stevie Wonder Podcast Features the Obamas, Questlove, and Berklee Professor Berklees Rick McLaughlin talks to host Wesley Morris on The Wonder of Stevie,...
02/10/2024
New Keith Jarrett Album Revisits Unheard Gems
New Keith Jarrett Album Revisits Unheard Gems The first single from The Old Country takes us back in time while still making a vital addition to the pianists ...
01/10/2024
Independent Music Platform Ampwall Launches Signups
Independent Music Platform Ampwall Launches Signups Built by and for DIY musicians, the Bandcamp alternative is now open to the public. By Tara Bellucci S...
30/09/2024
Boston Conservatory at Berklee Presents Fall Dance Concert: From the Ground Up
Boston Conservatory at Berklee Presents Fall Dance Concert: From the Ground Up Conservatory students will perform works by guest choreographers Hope Boykin, C...
28/09/2024
Berklee's Africana Studies Department Hosts Gambian Musician Dr. Sona Jobarteh as Visiting Scholar
Berklee's Africana Studies Department Hosts Gambian Musician Dr. Sona Jobart...
28/09/2024
Berklee Alumni Affairs Launches Second Season of Pass the Mic Podcast
Berklee Alumni Affairs Launches Second Season of Pass the Mic Podcast The new season will feature Mark Kelley of the Roots, Broadway veteran Natalie Toro, and...
28/09/2024
On Tour with Shaboozey's Drummer Darren Poindexter
On Tour with Shaboozey's Drummer Darren Poindexter The LA-based drummer reflects on how his Berklee training shaped his career and prepared him for tourin...
27/09/2024
Berklee Popular Music Institute Launches BPMI Live Docuseries
Berklee Popular Music Institute Launches BPMI Live Docuseries Bottle Tree Pictures filmed the course, highlighting how BPMI brings students through the proces...
27/09/2024
John Mayer Praises Alums Guitar Solo on SiriusXM
John Mayer Praises Alums Guitar Solo on SiriusXM The guitar greats cosign is a full-circle moment for Nashville-based session guitarist George Collins, whose ...
25/09/2024
Beyonc Is a Disruptor: Why the CMAs Snubbed Cowboy Carter
Beyonc Is a Disruptor: Why the CMAs Snubbed Cowboy Carter Emmett G. Price III spoke to NBC News about the lack of nominations for the pop icons country cross...
25/09/2024
Anyway, Heres Wonderwall (and 20 More of the Best Oasis Songs)
Anyway, Heres Wonderwall (and 20 More of the Best Oasis Songs) The Gallagher brothers reunite for a sold-out UK tour in the latest example of the lucrative bu...
24/09/2024
Berklee's Signature Series Welcomes Grammy-Nominated Artist Becca Stevens
Berklee's Signature Series Welcomes Grammy-Nominated Artist Becca Stevens The singer-songwriter will be accompanied by a select group of students in a per...
23/09/2024
Chicago's Danny Seraphine to Perform with Berklee Student Ensemble
Chicago's Danny Seraphine to Perform with Berklee Student Ensemble The Grammy Award-winning drummer will also lead a drum clinic during his visit to the B...
21/09/2024
Berklee Alumni and Faculty Nominated for 2024 Latin Grammy Awards
Berklee Alumni and Faculty Nominated for 2024 Latin Grammy Awards Miguel Zen n, Nicolle Horbath, Juan Luis Guerra, and Cristina Abaroa are among this year'...
21/09/2024
Berklee Abu Dhabi Fellows Bridge Worlds Through Music
Berklee Abu Dhabi Fellows Bridge Worlds Through Music The fellowship provides opportunities to musicians from the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia re...
18/09/2024
Amplify Berklee Honors the Legacy and Celebrates the Future of Berklee City Music
Amplify Berklee Honors the Legacy and Celebrates the Future of Berklee City Musi...
17/09/2024
Five Berklee Alumni Win Emmy Awards
Five Berklee Alumni Win Emmy Awards The recipients were recognized for their work on the acclaimed programs The Bear, Sho gun, and Billy Joel: The 100th-Live ...
13/09/2024
Rodney Alejandro Named Dean of Professional Writing and Music Technology
Rodney Alejandro Named Dean of Professional Writing and Music Technology Alejandro, Berklees current Songwriting Department chair and an alumnus of the colleg...
13/09/2024
WCVB Spotlights Berklee Institute for Accessible Arts Education
WCVB Spotlights Berklee Institute for Accessible Arts Education The institutes ABLE summer camp program was featured in the 5 for Good segment. By Daniel Pe...
12/09/2024
Boston Conservatory at Berklee to Present Center Stage Production of Jesus Christ Superstar
Boston Conservatory at Berklee to Present Center Stage Production of Jesus Chris...
12/09/2024
Reframing Conservatory Education Through Africana Studies
Reframing Conservatory Education Through Africana Studies As Berklee's Africana Studies Division grows, so do learning and mentorship opportunities for Bo...
11/09/2024
Nicholas Payton Announced as Chair of the Brass Department
Nicholas Payton Announced as Chair of the Brass Department The Grammy Award-winning musician will take up his new leadership position this fall. By Colette ...
11/09/2024
Alum Gives Soaring Performance at the 2024 Paralympics in Paris
Alum Gives Soaring Performance at the 2024 Paralympics in Paris Vocalist and pianist Luan Pommier stunned thousands with her rendition of the Paralympic anthe...
06/09/2024
Student Spotlight: Mateo Londoo
Student Spotlight: Mateo Londo o The producer talks about leaving Berklee to grieve the passing of a close friend and fellow student and then returning to fin...
05/09/2024
Boston Conservatory Adds a Robust Roster of Artists to Its Faculty
Boston Conservatory Adds a Robust Roster of Artists to Its Faculty Nearly 30 new faculty across the Dance, Music, and Theater divisions bring industry experti...
05/09/2024
Why Music Educators Choose Berklee's Graduate Programs
Why Music Educators Choose Berklee's Graduate Programs Explore Berklees flexible master's degrees and certificate in music education, and get advice f...
29/08/2024
Berklees Africana Studies Division Launches New Degree Program in Black Music and Culture
Berklees Africana Studies Division Launches New Degree Program in Black Music an...
27/08/2024
Berklee's Signature Series Celebrates Brazilian Composers Caetano Veloso and Antnio Carlos Jobim
Berklee's Signature Series Celebrates Brazilian Composers Caetano Veloso and...
23/08/2024
Karen A. Bell Named Chair of Performance Studies
Karen A. Bell Named Chair of Performance Studies The associate dean will expand her responsibilities to manage performance studies courses and oversee departm...
22/08/2024
How Freedom by Beyonc Became a Campaign Anthem
How Freedom by Beyonc Became a Campaign Anthem Emmett G. Price III discusses the history of political campaign music and what makes Freedom such a versatile ...
21/08/2024
Berklee Announces 2024 Fall Signature Series Lineup
Berklee Announces 2024 Fall Signature Series Lineup This season's performances celebrate musical traditions from country music to the music of Brazil and ...
20/08/2024
Boston Conservatory at Berklee Gets Serious About Clowning
Boston Conservatory at Berklee Gets Serious About Clowning With the launch of its newest minor in fall 2024, Boston Conservatory brings circus arts to academi...
20/08/2024
Berklee and Spelman Colleges Student Exchange Program Returns for Fall 2024
Berklee and Spelman Colleges Student Exchange Program Returns for Fall 2024 The initiative celebrates Black music, culture, and the power of sisterhood. By ...
09/08/2024
Flora Sullivan Named 2024 Jimmy Lyons Scholarship Recipient
Flora Sullivan Named 2024 Jimmy Lyons Scholarship Recipient The Berkeley, California, native will perform at this year's Monterey Jazz Festival. By Cole...
09/08/2024
Leo Luna Roblejo Receives the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundations Sebastin Yatra Scholarship
Leo Luna Roblejo Receives the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundations Sebasti n Yatra ...
09/08/2024
Watch Anita Hill Perform with Boston Conservatory Orchestra at Symphony Hall
Watch Anita Hill Perform with Boston Conservatory Orchestra at Symphony Hall The attorney, scholar, and civil rights activist narrated the words of Martin Lut...
09/08/2024
Berklee City Music Awards Scholarships at Concert
Berklee City Music Awards Scholarships at Concert This year, 19 students received scholarships, housing awards, and aid to attend Berklee College of Music. B...
29/07/2024
Berklee's Music Business/Management Department Hosted Summer Program with Position Music
Berklee's Music Business/Management Department Hosted Summer Program with Po...
26/07/2024
Berklee Alumni Nominated for 2024 Emmy Awards
Berklee Alumni Nominated for 2024 Emmy Awards Twenty-one Berklee alumni received Emmy nominations this year for music composition, sound mixing, and sound editi...
23/07/2024
Alum Notes: Spring/Summer 2024
Alum Notes: Spring/Summer 2024 The most recent news from your fellow alumni. July 10, 2024 Emily McGuire B.F.A. '18 of Glendale, CA, found a new love f...