Meet the Berklee Grads Shaping Latin Music’s Future

Latin music continues to take the global stage by storm, and Berklee alumni are at the forefront of this movement. These talented producers, songwriters, engineers, and artists blend their cultural heritage with the cutting-edge skills they honed at Berklee, contributing to some of the most exciting music in the industry today. In this article, meet several distinguished Miami-based alums and a key collaborator—Ela Taubert, who won a Latin Grammy for Best New Artist this week. These rising talents recently spoke to students at an event sponsored by the Latin American Association of Berklee Students, sharing how their journeys, achievements, and career insights can help a new generation break into the ever-evolving industry.

KEVN (Kevin Aguirre)

Kevin Aguirre BM ’20, known as KEVN, is a platinum- and gold-certified producer, songwriter, performer, and audio engineer from Bogotá, Colombia. A powerhouse in the Latin music industry, he has worked with artists such as Ela Taubert, Daniela Calle, and Pablo Alborán, earning millions of streams. Nominated for Producer of the Year at Colombia's Premios Nuestra Tierra awards, his work, including hits such as Taubert’s “¿Cómo Pasó?,” has achieved global acclaim. A summa cum laude Berklee graduate, KEVN continues to innovate and leave his mark on both Latin and international music.

KEVN’s Advice for Aspiring Artists

• Go the extra mile when working with peers—it’s in those moments that strong, lasting connections are built: "The relationships you build in those late-night studio sessions are the ones that last the longest." 
• Success requires resilience and a readiness to demonstrate your value in every project: "At first, people won’t value you—you must prove your worth."

Ela Taubert

Ela Taubert, a Colombian singer-songwriter from Bogotá, blends her Latin roots with influences from Miley Cyrus, Adele, and Taylor Swift, creating a versatile sound across alternative and pop genres. Although she is not a Berklee graduate, she works closely with members of Berklee community in the Latin music industry. In November, she received a Latin Grammy for Best New Artist, and performed her KEVN cowrite “¿Cómo Pasó?” with Joe Jonas on the Latin Grammy stage in Miami. With over 240 million streams, Taubert has hit Billboard's Top 20 Latin Pop Airplay and Spotify's "Viral 50—Global" charts. Known for her vibrant music videos and empowering narratives, Taubert launched her Nuestro Refugio initiative in 2023, connecting with fans through acoustic performances and meet-and-greets. She has recently opened for Karol G in Bogotá, and received nominations for Colombia's Premio Nuestra Tierra and Univision's Premios Juventud awards.

Ela Taubert’s Advice for Aspiring Artists

• Know your worth: "Don’t be afraid to ask for what’s fair for you and your team."  
• Don’t be afraid to ask for clarification: "One of the most important things I learned was to ask questions, even if I felt I should already know the answer."
• Failure is a stepping stone to success: "Learn to allow yourself to fail."

Nico González

Nico González BM ’20 is a versatile producer, songwriter, and artist from Medellín, Colombia. After moving to Miami, he worked with renowned artists such as Camilo, Ela Taubert, Mau y Ricky, and Diego Torres, collaborating with major labels including Sony and Universal Music. Notably, he was an engineer on Camilo’s Latin Grammy–winning documentary El Primer Tour de Mi Vida, and recently coproduced Camilo’s album Cuatro.

Nico González's Advice for Aspiring Artists

• While technical skills are essential, being easy to work with is even more critical: "Being a good person is more important than what you know.”
• "Your value isn't determined by the size of the artist you're working with. Focus on the quality of your work."
• "You have to go through the process of unlearning after you graduate," he says, explaining that the industry demands continuous growth and adaptation. One must embrace flexibility and be open to new ideas.

Bere

Originally from Venezuela, Bere Gonzalo BM ’21 began her post-Berklee career with an internship at Rebel 11 Studios in Miami. She progressed from assistant engineer to working with artists such as Bizarrap and Manuel Turizo. At Rebel, she served as an audio and recording engineer, playing a key role in mixing and editing to Netflix’s La Firma, and later joined NEON16 as studio manager and head audio engineer. Bere was a recording engineer on Tainy’s Grammy-nominated album Data. She has also worked with Quevedo, Natti Natasha, and Will Smith, recording "Light Em Up" for the Bad Boys: Ride or Die soundtrack.

Bere’s Advice for Aspiring Artists

• Building strong connections with peers and maintaining positive working relationships are more valuable than technical expertise: "You’re working with the future of the music industry right now at Berklee." 
• Choose projects that align with your values and career goals instead of overloading yourself: "Don’t just take any opportunity—know when to say no."  
• Learn to manage your finances wisely: "Save your money and be smart with it." 
• Don’t skip steps in your development: "Don’t rush the process—every step is important."

Isabel Rodriguez Siblesz

Isabel Rodriguez Siblesz BM ’21 is an engineer and producer from Caracas, Venezuela, now based in Miami. She has recorded artists including Elena Rose, Quevedo, and Rawayana and contributed to significant projects such as Pink Aura by Kenia Os, El Ultimo Baile by Trueno, and Un Mechón De Pelo by Tini. Siblesz earned two Latin Grammy nominations for her work with Alejandro Sanz and Nicki Nicole.

Isabel Rodriguez Siblesz’s Advice for Aspiring Artists

• Networking is essential; relationships can open doors you may not have imagined: “The most important thing you’re gonna take away from Berklee is the people.”
• Protect yourself legally in every situation: “Make a contract for everything—leave it all in writing.”
• Early rejection is common, and breaking into the industry requires persistence: “You’re going to hear ‘no’ more times than you’ll hear ‘yes.’ Keep pushing.”

Leon Yamil

Born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Leon Yamil BM ’17 has been immersed in the music industry since a young age. By the time he began Berklee in 2014, he had already released an album with his band Be Crazy and composed for the award-winning film Quien Manda. After graduating, Yamil moved to Miami to advance his career as a songwriter and producer. He has since won two New York Emmy Awards for his song “Dominicano Pa’ Siempre” and contributed to four Latin Grammy–nominated albums. Leon’s collaborations include artists such as Beéle, Nacho, Luis Enrique, and Camilo.

Leon Yamil’s Advice for Aspiring Artists

• Be independent of the technical skills learned in school: "You’re not a tool of the tools."  
• Humility is essential—never stop learning, even when you reach the “top”: "When I started working with big names, I realized I had to leave my ego at the door and learn from every experience."  
• Learn to balance creativity with professionalism: "Success is just as much about your ability to manage your career as your musical talent." 
• Rewarding choices often involve significant risks: "The right decision is usually the riskiest one."