The Frost School of Music continued its efforts to strengthen the school’s relationship with the Latin music world and highlight its support for women in music, partnering with Billboard on its high-profile celebration of Latin Women in Music. The invite-only reception packed the Casa D Miami club in the city’s Design District, drawing scores of top women executives to a party honoring the Latin women artists, executives, and creatives in Billboard’s Latin music counterpart to its annual Women in Music issue and awards.
The party was hosted by Leila Cobo, longtime former chief content officer of Billboard Latin, who was recently named co-chief content officer, overseeing the industry-leading publication’s array of print and digital editorial content and suite of influential events. The Frost School’s Serona Elton, interim vice-dean and director of the Music Industry program (MIND), associate professor and MIND assistant director Guillermo Page; and Stephanie Hernandez, director of marketing and communications, mixed with the likes of Liz Roca, director of tour marketing for powerhouse United Talent Agency; Elizabeth Rodda, president U.S. Latin, Latin America and Global Society Relations for music publisher peermusic; and revered pop-rock artist, songwriter, and GRAMMY and Latin GRAMMY winner Julieta Venegas.
“Miami’s role as a global hub for Latin music has long provided our students, alumni, and faculty with the opportunity to actively engage with and help shape the industry,” said Elton. “Our partnership on events like the celebration of Billboard Latin Women in Music helps to highlight and strengthen those connections, sparking greater awareness of the Frost School that will further benefit our community moving forward.”
The Frost School’s other efforts in this area include sponsoring scholarships with the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation and hosting the nonprofit group’s annual scholarship ceremony at the Knight Center for Music Innovation. Last fall the school co-sponsored a VIP Billboard Latin Power Players event during Billboard Latin Music Week in Miami, whose honorees included alumnus and music publishing executive Jorge Mejia, and showcasing its many alumni working successfully in Latin music. And Frost News has featured the achievements of the school’s alumni working at or honored by the Latin GRAMMYS.
Sponsoring a celebration of Latin women in the industry also builds on the Frost School’s track record of supporting female students, alumni, and faculty, particularly in the Music Industry program, with events such as last fall’s career panel with the group Women in Music.
Billboard’s Casa D Miiami reception celebrated the Latin Women Executive List. The following evening featured an awards ceremony for artists, televised by Billboard’s longtime broadcast partner Telemundo from its Miami headquarters, to honor the stars Venegas, Becky G, Lola Indigo, Gloria Trevi, Joy, Young Miko, Rosalia, and Ivy Queen.
Cobo said Billboard’s elevation of Latin music and women in music have been positive for both—and for the industry as a whole. “Ventures whose primary objective is to serve the community and foster creativity ultimately become tangible engines of change,” she wrote in a statement for the issue. “As Latin Women in Music celebrates its fourth year, we see something remarkable happen on both the artist and executive front: new names coming together with established icons. It’s clear we are not only shining a light on Latin talent but actively, and proudly, contributing to its expansion and development.”
Manuela Paraya, who graduated in December 2025 with a master’s from the Frost School’s Live Entertainment Management program, echoed Cobo at the Casa D Miami party. “It’s very important for us to have spaces like this where women are celebrated,” said Paraya, who is a project manager for Hardcore Entertainment Booking Agency. “It hasn’t been an easy path. But seeing how far other women in other parts of the industry have come is really motivating. It’s also amazing to have these networking spaces to help each other out as women.”
