Carlos Vives Scholarship Awarded to Nicolle Horbath

The Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation has awarded the Carlos Vives Scholarship to 21-year-old vocalist Nicolle Horbath. The four-year scholarship has a maximum value of $200,000 and will allow Horbath to pursue a bachelor's degree at Berklee, where she plans to major in songwriting this fall. The foundation's scholarship committee selected the Colombian student from a highly competitive pool of applicants from North and South America, Spain, and Portugal. 

To date, more than 100 scholarships totaling $2.7 million have been awarded by the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation, which supports Latin music in a variety of ways, including furthering the careers of talented students who are looking to start or continue their music education.

"Our scholarships help students with economic difficulties, who cannot finance their education, attend some of the most recognized universities in the world," said Gabriel Abaroa Jr., president and CEO of the Latin Recording Academy, during the scholarship presentation ceremony. "We are pleased to grant our fourth Prodigy Scholarship, known as the Carlos Vives Scholarship, to Nicolle, whose excellent talent stood out among hundreds of applicants, and who has demonstrated an unconditional commitment to promoting Latin music through her formal music training."

"It is very difficult for Latin students to have access to important and valuable scholarships like this one. This scholarship supports four years of education at one of the most prestigious and important universities in the world, and in such a marvelous city like Boston," said Vives. "Nicolle will have the wonderful opportunity to dedicate four years to perfecting her art. If it were not for the scholarships that the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation awards every year, many students would not have these types of opportunities. I like the way Nicolle sees Latin music: she gives it a universal appeal, fusing it with music from the rest of the world. Studying at Berklee will enrich all of these qualities. Bringing so much joy to a person and their family is beautiful."

Horbath expressed graciousness toward Vives, the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation, and the people helping her reach her dreams.

"The appreciation I feel towards the foundation and Carlos is indescribable," she said. "This has always been a dream for me and it feels incredible knowing that it is now my reality. I promise to always be a good role model for young musicians and to make Colombia proud." 

Horbath will join several other students at Berklee who have won Prodigy Scholarships from the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation. This elite group includes saxophonist Silviana Itzel Salinas-Reyna, who had the honor of receiving the first scholarship in 2015, sponsored by Enrique Iglesias; pianist Jesús Molina-Acosta, who received the scholarship in 2016, sponsored by Juan Luis Guerra '82; and bassist Ernesto Nuñez, winner of the 2017 scholarship, sponsored by Miguel Bosé.

"We are proud to present a scholarship in collaboration with Carlos and the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation to Nicolle, who was introduced to us through the Berklee Latino program,” said Berklee President Roger H. Brown. "Vives’s support of Horbath gives her the opportunity to study with professors and students from all over the world and join a new generation of interconnected musicians with bold sounds and visions."

To qualify for annual financial assistance, Horbath must maintain a 3.5 GPA and fulfill the standards of excellence set forth by the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation and Berklee, and evaluated each semester.