The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation has awarded the first-ever Paco de Lucía Legacy Scholarship to flamenco guitarist Marcos Gago Pino.
Developed in partnership with the Paco de Lucía Foundation — itself named after a legend in flamenco music — the scholarship provides up to $120,000 for tuition and miscellaneous expenses. Recipients are chosen by the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation’s Scholarship Committee from a competitive international pool of young musicians. Since its inception, the Foundation has awarded 477 scholarships and invested nearly $13.9 million to support Latin music education.
Gago Pino was awarded the scholarship during a press conference in Sevilla, Spain on Sept. 9. Hosted by journalist Verónica Chumillas Martínez, the event featured Luis Cobos, Chairman of the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation’s Board of Directors; Raquel "Rocky" Egusquiza, Executive Director of the Foundation; and Cristóbal Sánchez, Director of the Paco de Lucía Foundation. They were joined by Latin GRAMMY winner Arcángel, Latin GRAMMY nominee Pastora Soler, Latin Recording Academy CEO Manuel Abud, and Arturo Bernal, Minister of Tourism and Andalucía Exterior from the Junta de Andalucía.
"I’m grateful to every person who invested in youth and cultural development, and who allowed me to continue advancing my great passion, which is flamenco," Gago Pino said, expressing his gratitude to the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation and the Paco de Lucía Foundation. "I hope to make the most of [this opportunity] at every moment — on my part, I won’t lack the desire or the strength."
Egusquiza highlighted the significance of the inaugural scholarship, noting the partnership between foundations makes it possible to both honor the past and future of Spanish music. The scholarship was also supported by proceeds from Latin GRAMMY Celebra: Paco de Lucía, a 2024 tribute in Cádiz which featured performances of the guitarist’s most celebrated works and appearances by his family.
"We are proud to award the first Paco de Lucía Legacy Scholarship — honoring the great Andalucian maestro — strengthening the future of Latin music," added Egusquiza. "We thank the Paco de Lucia Foundation for their valuable partnership that has made it possible to support young musicians like Marcos."
Lucía Sánchez Varela, president of the Paco de Lucía Foundation, also congratulated Marcos Gago Pino, noting that "supporting and training young musicians is an inherent part of the flamenco promotion work that our foundation carries out."
Beyond the scholarship, the Paco de Lucía Foundation works to preserve Paco de Lucía’s legacy by maintaining his archives and promoting flamenco. Through concerts and educational initiatives, the Foundation continues to support emerging talent and keep his influence alive for future generations.
"Paco de Lucía has been and continues to be the most important artist, composer and guitarist of the 20th and 21st centuries. An undisputed genius, pioneer in advancing and evolving flamenco. At our Foundation, we feel deeply proud because with this Legacy Scholarship that we award today we follow the path that Paco started and blazed. We are very proud to continue to foster Spanish talent as well as flamenco studies, which will continue to enrich global music culture and our Latin music," said Cobos.