The Frost School of Music hosted the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation for a ceremony awarding college scholarships to 44 music students from across the Americas, Spain, and Portugal. The event, held on August 7th at the Knight Center for Innovation, featured Latin GRAMMY winner and GRAMMY nominee, pop star Sebastián Yatra awarding the $250,000 Sebastián Yatra Scholarship to Cuban double bass player Leo Luna Roblejo.
Latin music industry notables and Foundation supporters filled the Newman Recital Hall for the celebration, hosted by Pamela Silva, co-host of Univision’s Primer Impacto, and sponsored by the independent multicultural entertainment, event, and marketing company in Miami, Loud And Live, as part of their $1 million commitment over five years to the Foundation.
Julio Bagué, a Frost School of Music alumnus, member of the Dean’s Advisory Committee, and Latin music industry leader, welcomed attendees in a speech in which he saluted the connections between the Frost School and the Foundation. “Tonight’s event marks the start of a new relationship between two great Miami music institutions: the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation and the Frost School of Music,” said Bagué, who is also on the board of the Recording Academy. “These two organizations, with their shared values and goals, are united in their dedication to the future of music.”
Bagué also acknowledged two significant milestones: the tenth anniversary of the Foundation, and the Frost School’s 100th birthday next year.
Yatra, a Colombian-born, Miami-based artist, hugged Roblejo, who was selected from hundreds of applicants, as he presented the scholarship. Also known as the Prodigy Scholarship, it provides $250,000 for the young musician to attend the Berklee College of Music, as well as Foundation mentorship and wrap around services. Previous Latin GRAMMY winning musicians who have sponsored the scholarship include reggaeton artist Nicky Jam, Colombian rock star Juanes, and Miami’s own Emilio and Gloria Estefan, who are strong supporters of the Frost School.
Yatra said he was grateful to support the musical dreams of talents like Roblejo. “Music has the power to change lives and unite cultures,” said the Latin GRAMMY winner. “I am excited to see how these young people, like Leo, will carry forward the legacy of Latin music.”
A grateful Roblejo promised to honor that legacy. “Music has been my calling and passion ever since I was a young child,” he said. “I am committed to making you all proud and will take full advantage of this opportunity. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Raquel “Rocky” Egusquiza, the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation’s executive director, thanked the Frost School for hosting the event. “This is truly an incredible facility; thank you for welcoming us into your home,” she said. “It is with immense pride that we bestow our tenth Prodigy Scholarship as we continue to celebrate a decade of the Foundation’s unwavering mission to support and cultivate the next generation of Latin music creators.”
Egusquiza also noted that the Latin GRAMMYs, which return to Miami this November, celebrate their 25th anniversary this year.
The audience, which included Gabriel Abaroa, the longtime former President and CEO of The Latin Recording Academy who oversaw the creation of the Foundation, applauded warmly.
Pianists Abraham Jiménez Sánchez, of the Dominican Republic, and Marcos Castilla Jiménez, from Spain; and Melany Fiorella Cisneros Fernández, a bass player from Peru, each received a $120,000 Gifted Tuition Scholarship for four years tuition and wrap around services at a music school of their choice. The remaining 40 recipients received the Tuition Assistance Scholarship, a one-time award of $12,500 in tuition and wrap around services. Bulova sponsored one Tuition Assistance Scholarship and Gibson Gives, Gibson's philanthropic division, sponsored three Tuition Assistance Scholarships, in addition to a gifted Gibson or Epiphone instrument, for students pursuing a music education with electric or acoustic guitar as their principal instrument. Many of the winners gave tearful thanks on video, moving some in the audience to tears as well.
The highlight of the evening was hearing the spectacularly talented Roblejo and 12 of his fellow scholarship recipients perform, under the musical direction of producer, composer, and Frost School alumnus Carlos “Carlitos” Lopez. The young artists opened with a spirited rendition of the beloved Celia Cruz classic “Quimbara.” Roblejo played a solo on bass, then joined five other students in a terrifically accomplished jazz sequence. The evening ended with all the students performing with Yatra on his hit “Tacones rojos” (Red Heels), bringing the appreciative crowd to their feet.
