Guitarist Diego Ureña Santana is the winner of the Berklee College of Music’s Michel Camilo Presidential Scholarship. Chosen by a panel of judges comprised of Berklee faculty and Camilo himself after an audition and interview at the Conservatorio Nacional de Música in Santo Domingo, Santana will have his four years of study at the prestigious Boston school covered. The prize also includes housing and a laptop.
“Diego is an outstanding guitarist who I believe has a brilliant future and career ahead of him in the jazz world, and will become an important asset for Berklee within its thriving community,” Camilo said when he presented Santana with the award.
The Dominican-born Grammy-winning pianist, like the budding Berklee student, began his studies at the same Santo Domingo conservatory.
“As visiting professor and president of the jury, I was delighted to see the young talent that attended the Berklee clinics, and was really impressed by the high musicianship level of the applicants for my scholarship,” Camilo commented. “It was challenging for the jury to choose a winner.”
The scholarship in Camilo’s name is supported by Camilo and his wife, Sandra and other donors, and institutional funds.
Camilo’s latest album, Live in London, is his first solo piano concert recording.