Latin Grammy executive calls for more Dominican representation

Santo Domingo.- Isabel Paz, Membership Director of the Latin Recording Academy, called for greater Dominican representation at the organization—best known for the Latin Grammy Awards—during an educational panel hosted by the La Oreja Media Foundation at FUNGLODE. Speaking to emerging artists, Paz emphasized that “popularity isn’t rewarded, excellence is,” and outlined how to join the Academy’s 6,000‑member community across 52 countries.

Joined by Senior Membership Coordinator Sasha Martínez, Paz detailed membership tiers, eligibility criteria, and benefits—including event access, professional networking, and roles on nominating committees—while walking attendees through the Member Portal. The session also covered the online submission process, general and specific award categories, and the work of classification and review committees to ensure transparent nominations.

Ahead of Dominican Music Week 2026, organizers introduced two new categories—“Best Roots Song,” celebrating compositions rooted in Hispanic American traditions, and “Best Music for Visual Media,” honoring scores for film, series, and other audiovisual works. Singer‑songwriter Techy Fatule shared how Academy membership and her Latin Grammy nomination for “Que me quedes tú” have expanded her global network and industry recognition.

Kirsys Kingsley, Executive Director of La Oreja Media Foundation, hailed the event as a bridge between local talent and international opportunities, noting its role in preparing a connected, professionally equipped Dominican music scene for the historic 2026 celebration.