Yesterday, the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation partnered with GRAMMY nominee and two-time Latin GRAMMY winner Erika Ender and her non-governmental organization, Fundación Puertas Abiertas, to host a live educational program at Panama's Ciudad de las Artes. The event, which aimed to inspire a new generation of Latin music creators, marked the 43rd Latin GRAMMY In The Schools program organized by the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation. The program included a donation of musical instruments to young students, performances, a special appearance by Ender, and a Q&A session with Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation Executive Director Raquel "Rocky" Egusquiza. See photos from the event below.
"It's a pleasure to celebrate the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation event in Panama, joining forces with my foundation, Fundación Puertas Abiertas, and work together, hand in hand to support youth," Ender said in a statement. "Supporting education, music, and Panamanian talent is both a duty and an honor, and I am proud to be able to make this donation of instruments to the Network of Choirs and Orchestras and connect generations through music in a place as magical as Ciudad de las Artes."
"Creating spaces to provide opportunities to promote Latin music and its culture is key to our mission," Egusquiza said in a statement. "We are grateful to Fundación Puertas Abiertas and Erika Ender for welcoming us to Panama and for allowing us to work together to empower the future generation of Latin music creators."
Latin GRAMMY In The Schools is an educational program that informs and connects music students with professionals in the Latin music industry, supporting educational music departments that face financial limitations. The Foundation invites professional musicians, artists, and sound engineers to visit middle schools, high schools, universities, or music education institutions and share their personal stories and experiences with students, highlighting the effort it takes to overcome career obstacles. The goal is for students to learn to optimize the educational opportunities presented to them, giving them an advantage and strong academic preparation to be able to compete in the music industry.
Since its inception, the Latin GRAMMY In The Schools program has benefited educational institutions in various cities across the United States, including Aransas Pass, Memphis, Dallas, Detroit, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, New York, and San Antonio, as well as internationally in Buenos Aires, Argentina; Mexico City, Mexico; Panama City, Panama; Arecibo, Humacao, Yauco, and San Juan in Puerto Rico; and Seville, Spain.
Artists who have participated in the Latin GRAMMY In The Schools program include: Ángela Aguilar, Calle 13, Pedro Capó, Camilo, Chiquis, Fonseca, Luis Fonsi, El Fantasma, Becky G, Karol G, Kany García, Leslie Grace, Natalia Lafourcade, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Mau y Ricky, Christian Nodal, Laura Pausini, Prince Royce, Thalía, Christian Serratos, Carlos Vives, Wisin, Sebastián Yatra, and many others.
Ciudad de las Artes is an arts and training facility that promotes music, inspiration, and learning while uniting art with social engagement. It is home to the Network of Choirs and Orchestras, the National Symphony Orchestra, and the National Ballet of Panama, among other institutions.
A pioneer in the global music industry, Erika Ender is a GRAMMY nominee, two-time Latin GRAMMY winner, and a member of the Latin Recording Academy's Board of Trustees. As a songwriter, artist, producer, communicator, and philanthropist, she has penned more than 40 No. 1 hits across a broad spectrum of genres, including the global hit "Despacito." Inducted into the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame, recognized by Forbes as one of Central America's most powerful women, and honored with a Guinness World Record for her innovative philanthropic initiative "TALENPRO" —the flagship project of her Fundación Puertas Abiertas, established in 2009 — she has transformed more than 50,000 lives through educational programs, renovated learning environments, university scholarships, early childhood nutrition programs, and more.
Erika Ender speaks at a Latin GRAMMY In The Schools event, presented by the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation in partnership with Fundación Puertas Abiertas, at Panama's Ciudad de las Artes on Tuesday, July 22, 2025 | Photo: Luis González.Heif/Fundación Puertas Abiertas
Erika Ender attends a Latin GRAMMY In The Schools event, presented by the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation in partnership with Fundación Puertas Abiertas, at Panama's Ciudad de las Artes on Tuesday, July 22, 2025 | Photo: Luis González.Heif/Fundación Puertas Abiertas
Performers at a Latin GRAMMY In The Schools event, presented by the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation in partnership with Fundación Puertas Abiertas, at Panama's Ciudad de las Artes on Tuesday, July 22, 2025 | Photo: Luis González.Heif/Fundación Puertas Abiertas
Erika Ender at a live educational program at Panama's Ciudad de las Artes, presented by the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation in partnership with Fundación Puertas Abiertas | Photo: Luis González.Heif/Fundación Puertas Abiertas
Erika Ender (R) speaks at a Latin GRAMMY In The Schools event, presented by the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation in partnership with Fundación Puertas Abiertas, at Panama's Ciudad de las Artes on Tuesday, July 22, 2025 | Photo: Luis González.Heif/Fundación Puertas Abiertas