The Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation announced today its annual list of scholarship recipients – talented musicians from around the world who will use these awards to overcome financial hurdles and achieve their dreams. To date, more than 100 scholarships totaling a remarkable $2.5 million has been gifted by the Foundation, which continues to support Latin music in many ways, including by recognizing individuals who are looking to start or continue their music education.

With today’s announcement, the Foundation has set new annual records in 2017, presenting $870,000 in scholarships to 44 recipients. This includes previously-announced Miguel Bosé Scholarship recipient, 22-year-old Dominican electric bassist Ernesto Núñez, who was honored earlier this year with a $200,000 award.

“Thanks to our generous donors, involved artists, and compassionate partners, we continue to be in a strong position to provide support to truly talented Latin music students in need and with the tools to pursue their dreams to follow in the footsteps of their Latin music icons,” said Manolo Díaz, Sr. Vice President, Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation. “While I am proud of the Foundation for breaking records in dollars and number of gifts awarded in 2017 —and passing the incredible $2.5 million and 100 scholarship milestones — I am profoundly honored to be playing a role in the advancement of these talented musicians and the spread of love for Latin music around the world.”

The 44 scholarship recipients come from countries spanning four continents: Brazil (8), Mexico (8), Venezuela (8), Colombia (4), Dominican Republic (4), United States (3), Peru (2), Puerto Rico (2), and one recipient from Costa Rica, Cuba, Indonesia, Portugal, and Spain.

The following received the Gifted Tuition Scholarships of up to $100,000 and covers a four-year bachelor’s degree:
Andrés Guerra, 21, a classical guitarist from Venezuela based in Revere, MA, who will attend Berklee College of Music in Boston.
Carolina Mercado, 22, a tenor saxophonist from Mexico, who will attend The School of Jazz at The New School in New York City.
Nikola Vasiljevic, 17, a guitarist from the Dominican Republic, who will attend Berklee College of Music in Boston.

Additionally, 40 students will receive Tuition Assistance Scholarships — a one-time scholarship valued at up to a maximum of $10,000 each toward music education at an institution of their choice. Recipients will pursue their music education at schools such as Berklee College of Music, Indiana University, School of Jazz at The New School, the University of Southern California in the U.S., Faculdade de Música Souza Lima in Brazil, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana in Colombia, Universidad Alfonso X El Sabio in Spain, and more. This group of 40 individuals includes Dominican pianist Esmirna Ortiz, who is receiving the scholarship for the third consecutive year and has already put her production engineering studies to practical use, assisting in production logistics at last year’s Latin Recording Academy® Person of the Year gala.

Following is a list of students who are receiving a Tuition Assistance Scholarships for 2017, including their country of origin, music major, and college they will be attending this fall:

Name Music Major Location Music School
Gerson De la Rosa Abreu Percussion Puerto Rico Boston Conservatory
Luis Anselmi Cuatro Venezolano Venezuela Holland College
Cesar Aranguibel Piano Venezuela Faculdade de Música Souza Lima
Oscar Quilca Barceli Drums Peru Berklee College of Music
Santiago Barragán Guitar Colombia Berklee College of Music
Aniela Batres Vibraphone Mexico Conservatorio de Música de Puerto Rico
Linda Briceño Trumpet Venezuela School of Jazz at The New School
José Manuel Ferreiras Castillo Drums Dominican Republic  Berklee College of Music
Carlos Pascual Cipeletti Piano Spain Alfonso X el Sabio
Sergio Coelho Clarinet Portugal University of Southern California
Ana Carmela Ramírez Contramaestre Voice Venezuela School of Jazz at The New School
Ahmad Sarasin Farhan Piano Indonesia Berklee College of Music
Breno Rocha Ferrari Electric Bass Brazil Faculdade de Música Souza Lima
Jhoely Garay Guitar Mexico The City College of New York
Gabrielle Garo Flute USA (Bronx, N.Y.) School of Jazz at The New School
Francisco Garrido Guitar Venezuela Berklee College of Music
Juan Camilo Gonzalez Gonzalez Clarinet Colombia Longy School of Music
Andres Gutierrez Piano Mexico Berklee College of Music
Alvaro Huancahuari Saxophone Peru McNally Smith College of Music
Euan Leslie Drums USA (Boston) Berklee College of Music
Herbert de Lima Saxophone Brazil Faculdade de Música Souza Lima
Rachel Lopez Flute Cuba Shepherd University
Raul Marcano Clarinet Venezuela Longy School of Music
Luis Gabriel Martinez Matarrita Guitar Costa Rica Alfonso X El Sabio
Gustavo Miorim Drums Brazil Faculdade de Música Souza Lima
Daniel Tenes de Oliveira Drums Brazil Faculdade de Música Souza Lima
Esmirna Ortiz Piano Dominican Republic  Berklee College of Music
Joao Vitor Perrusi Electric Guitar Brazil Berklee College of Music
Cristian Restrepo Piano Colombia Pontificia Javeriana Colombia
Jeffrey Rivera Percussion USA (Boston) Berklee College of Music
Santiago Rodríguez Saxophone Colombia Pontificia Javeriana Colombia
Orlando J. Berrios Rojas Cuatro Puertorriqueño Puerto Rico Conservatorio de Música de Puerto Rico
Luis Mario Ruelas Romo Composition Mexico Indiana University
Camila Ronza Voice Brazil Faculdade de Música Souza Lima
German Scheufler Electric Bass Mexico Berklee College of Music
Matheus Silva Drums Brazil Berklee College of Music
Rodolfo Guilherme Da Silva Trumpet Brazil Faculdade de Música Souza Lima
Alexis Soto Percussion Venezuela Berklee College of Music
Marco A. Ribera Tejeda Piano Mexico Tecnológico de Monterrey
José Alberto Aponte Trujillo Violin Mexico Colorado State University

The Foundation’s Scholarship Committee is tasked with carefully evaluating a highly competitive pool of young and aspiring musicians on a variety of skills and rigorous policies developed by the Foundation. The Gifted Tuition Scholarships and Miguel Bosé Scholarship recipients must maintain a minimum 3.5 GPA and honor standards of academic excellence and outstanding conduct set forth by the Foundation and the respective music institution, in order to qualify for renewal of annual assistance during their four-year college term, which will be assessed each semester.

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