PANAMA — The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation®, in partnership with Sony Music Group’s Beyond The Instrument initiative and Latin GRAMMY®-nominated artist Boza, held Latin GRAMMY In The Schools™, an educational experience that included a donation of musical instruments to the Instituto Rubiano high school in San Miguelito, Panama. The program, the first collaboration with Sony Music Central America and the Caribbean, included musical performances by the students and a question and answer session with the artist, moderated by renowned journalist Leonor Suárez. The Rubiano Institute is one of Panama’s leading public educational institutions, serving approximately 4,000 students in two shifts. Recognized for its commitment to integral development, the institute promotes a values-based education, teamwork, and community engagement to guide young people towards a positive future.
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Offers high school degrees in Science, Humanities, and Informatics, and its entire school community (teachers, parents, students, and administrative staff) collaborates to provide a high-quality education, with the aim of being a national benchmark in scientific, humanistic, and technological excellence. The investment from the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation and Sony Music Group’s Beyond The Instrument initiative will allow the Rubiano Institute to further strengthen its music programs by funding new instruments and equipment, offering greater opportunities for students to explore and develop their interest in music as part of their academic career.“Learning goes beyond a classroom, because at the Rubiano Institute talent and discipline grow together,” said Elizabeth Gil de Solís, Director of the Rubiano Institute. “Thanks to the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation and Sony Music Central America and the Caribbean for bringing this educational opportunity to our school.” “We are delighted to bring Beyond The Instrument to Panama and to support the Rubiano Institute’s commitment to empowering young creators,” said Towalame Austin, Executive Vice President of Philanthropy, Social Impact and Environment at Sony Music Group. “Together with the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation and Boza, we are proud to help equip these students with the tools and inspiration to pursue their musical dreams.” “We thank Boza and Sony Music Group for their partnership and commitment to our joint mission of supporting future music creators,” said Raquel “Rocky” Egusquiza, Executive Director of the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation. “Thanks to their support, we have preserved the legacy of Latin music at the Rubiano Institute and created what we hope will be unforgettable memories for the students present.” Launched in 2021, Sony Music Group’s Beyond The Instrument initiative is designed to foster equity and expand access to cutting-edge music technology education for students in historically underfunded schools and districts. Through the initiative, students gain hands-on experience with modern music tools and creative mentorship from Sony Music artists and songwriters. Previously, Sony Music artists Gloria Estefan and Carlos Vives joined the program with their participation in Latin GRAMMY In The Schools. To date, Beyond The Instrument has impacted schools in California, Tennessee, Florida, Canada, and London, inspiring the next generation of diverse and innovative creators in music. Latin GRAMMY In The Schools is an educational program that provides information and connects music students with professionals in the Latin music industry, as well as supporting music departments in educational institutions worldwide with limited resources. The Foundation invites renowned artists, professional musicians, and sound engineers to visit middle and high schools, universities, or music institutions to share their stories and personal experiences with students, highlighting the effort required to overcome professional obstacles. The goal is for students to take advantage of the educational opportunities presented to them, which will give them an advantage and a solid academic preparation to compete in the music industry.“For me it is an honor to be part of Latin GRAMMY In The Schools because music was the tool that helped me believe in myself and change the course of my life,” said Boza. “Being able to share that experience with students and show them that their talent, their voice, and their culture have value is something very special. Hopefully this program will motivate them to trust their creativity and understand that there is indeed space for them in the industry.”
ABOUT BOZA:
Originally from Panama, Boza is a singer-songwriter globally recognized for his fusion of genres such as urban, dancehall, afrobeat, and the Panamanian rhythm canela. In 2019, Sony Music Entertainment Central America and the Caribbean signed the Panamanian artist. In 2020, the hit “Hecha pa’ mí” catapulted him to global fame after going viral on TikTok. The song is part of Más negro que rojo, Boza’s debut album released in 2020, with which he received his first nomination for the Latin GRAMMYs® in the category of Best New Artist. Since then, the artist has released three other studio albums: Bucle (2022), Sin sol (2023), and SAN BLAS (2025).
ABOUT THE LATIN GRAMMY CULTURAL FOUNDATION:
The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation® is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization established by The Latin Recording Academy®, with the vision of becoming a global leader in music education and empowering communities through Latin music and culture. In 2024, the Foundation celebrated its tenth anniversary and, over the last decade, has propelled the next generation of Latin music creators through scholarships, educational programs, and grants that promote Latin music and celebrate its rich cultural legacy. To date, the Foundation has donated more than $15 million with the support of members of The Latin Recording Academy, artists, corporate sponsors, and other generous donors. For more information or to make a donation, please visit latingrammyculturalfoundation.org or our Facebook page. Follow us as @latingrammyfdn on Instagram and as Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation on Facebook and LinkedIn.ABOUT BEYOND THE INSTRUMENT BY SONY MUSIC GROUP:
On its fifth anniversary, Beyond The Instrument continues to reaffirm Sony Music Group’s commitment to expanding access to music education; since its launch, the program has equipped young people in multiple regions with cutting-edge music technology and educational experiences linked to the industry. Implemented in key markets such as California, Tennessee, Florida, Nevada, London, Toronto, and now Panama, the initiative has become a global program that empowers students through meaningful hands-on experiences. Among the artists and songwriters who have contributed to the program are Cat Burns, Noah Cyrus, Sigala, DIXSON, Theron Thomas, Schak, Aqyila and Gloria Estefan, each helping to inspire the next generation of music creators.
