Berklee Alumni Win at the 2024 Latin Grammy Awards

The Latin Recording Academy honored the achievements of Latin music and its creators at the 25th annual Latin Grammy Awards, held on Thursday, November 14, at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida. 

Internationally renowned Dominican musician, singer, and composer Juan Luis Guerra ’82 ’09H won four Latin Grammys, including two in the major categories of Record of the Year and Album of the Year for “Mambo 23” and Radio Güira, respectively. Guerra, who studied jazz composition at Berklee, is now a 29-time Latin Grammy winner and is credited for popularizing bachata music on a global level. Since the release of his first album, Soplando, in 1984, he has collaborated with a host of artists including Alejandro Sanz, Enrique Iglesias, Juanes, Tony Bennett, Nelly Furtado, and Sting.

Singer, songwriter, and producer Cristina Abaroa PD ’91 repeated her 2023 win in the Best Latin Children's Album category for producing ¡A Cantar! by Danilo & Chapis, a group she founded. Born into a family of artists and prominent music industry executives in Mexico City, Abaroa moved to Los Angeles in 1991 where she founded the music production company Moon Moosic. Over the course of her 30-year career, she has released three albums independently, Studio Sessions (2022), Pintor de Ilusiones (2004) and Cristina (2000).

Kemelly Figueroa-Mouriz BM ’12, who currently serves as vice president of entertainment experiences at Miami-based company Loud and Live, won in the Best Recording Package category for her work as an art director on Celia Cruz Live: 100 Years of Sugar, a tribute to the legendary salsa singer Celia Cruz. 

Below is a full list of Berklee alumni Latin Grammy winners. Please note the list is subject to change as we receive updated information. 

Record of the Year

“Mambo 23,” Juan Luis Guerra 
Juan Luis Guerra ’82 ’09H, producer

Album of the Year

Radio Güira, Juan Luis Guerra 4.40 
Juan Luis Guerra ’82 ’09H, producer, songwriter

Best Merengue/Bachata Album

Radio Güira, Juan Luis Guerra 4.40 
Juan Luis Guerra ’82 ’09H

Best Tropical Song 

“Mambo 23,” Juan Luis Guerra 
Juan Luis Guerra ’82 ’09H, songwriter 

Best Latin Children's Album

Let's Sing!, Danilo & Chapis
Cristina Abaroa PD ’91, producer

Best Recording Package

Celia Cruz Live: 100 Years of Sugar, Celia Cruz
Kemelly Figueroa-Mouriz BM ’12, art director