A grandmother’s dream of seeing her granddaughter become a musician came true in the United States. Venezuelan Ruvit Bracho took the baton of her career as a violinist and found a way to achieve her goals despite economic hardship.
A Venezuelan woman in the U.S. is an ambassador for the Latin Grammy Foundation
A Venezuelan woman’s passion for music led her to change course and become the violinist she dreamed of becoming. Ruvit Bracho, a native of Zulia, immigrated to the United States in 2018 with a single goal: to train as a musician.
Venezuelan Ruvit Bracho’s Dream of Becoming a Musician in the United States Comes True
Bracho had taken a semester of musicology at the Cecilio Acosta Catholic University in Maracaibo but realized it was not what she wanted to dedicate herself to, so she moved to Stetson University in Florida to fulfill her dream of studying music performance.
She says that studying in the United States is very expensive, but thanks to a scholarship she received from a foundation that supports the orchestral system in Venezuela, she was able to complete the first year of her studies.
In the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, in 2020, the organization could not continue to support her due to the high cost of tuition. That’s when she saw on a music producer’s Instagram account that the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation had extended the deadline to apply for its scholarship program.
Founded in 2014, the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation aims to increase interest in the contributions of Latin music and its creators to world culture through scholarships, grants and educational programs.
“With the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation, you go through an audition process. They see your videos, your circumstances and based on your talent, they send you a letter if you win,” she said, adding that she was able to apply on the last day.
The beginning of a career
The Venezuelan said that being one of the 39 scholarship recipients selected not only allows her to represent the Academy of Latin Music as an ambassador but also gives her access to job opportunities to make herself known.
Fonseca’s first participation in a Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation event was a concert at an auction in Miami. She noted that in August 2022, she was called to participate in the Sofia Carson Scholarship Award, where she had the opportunity to perform alongside the singer and other members of the foundation.
“Thanks to this, I was called to record in studios in Miami, such as Art House,” she said.
Her first steps in music began playing the cuatro in the musical kindergarten of the mayor’s office of Maracaibo. Then, at the age of 7, her grandmother enrolled her in the National Orchestra System, where she began taking violin lessons, an instrument with which she decided to continue her journey.
The challenge behind a dream
When she emigrated as a student at the age of 20, the biggest challenge she faced was mastering English. Bracho didn’t score high enough on the TOEFL until the second time she took it. To pass, she went to the library to study and attended lectures around town.
She says it helped a lot to speak only English and to surround herself with people who were not fluent in Spanish. “At the beginning of college, I recorded my first classes on my cell phone so I could listen to them again and understand them,” she said.
Bracho graduated in three years and is currently continuing her education at the Lynn Conservatory. Her goals include continuing to practice to improve her technique and avoid injury, as well as gaining more experience playing in orchestras.
At Lynn University, the violinist shares the classroom with several Venezuelans. “The country has exported very good musicians to the world. At the university, they give you a full scholarship; if there are a lot of Venezuelans, that means there are a lot of good people making music in Venezuela,” she said.
What is the Latin Grammy Foundation?
The Latin Grammy Foundation is a non-profit organization established to promote Latin music and to provide educational and professional development opportunities to its practitioners.
The Foundation works closely with the Latin Recording Academy, which produces the annual Latin Grammy Awards, to provide scholarships and grants, to create music industry educational programs and to promote Latin music internationally.
F.A.Q. about Music-Related Grants and Scholarships
How do I get a full music scholarship?
To get a full music scholarship, you will need to demonstrate exceptional musical skills and knowledge. Start by researching music scholarships available at different schools and universities.
Then, audition for those schools and prepare a portfolio of your accomplishments. Finally, stay active in the music community by attending performances, taking lessons and participating in competitions.
Can music get you a scholarship?
Yes, some colleges and universities offer scholarships specifically for students who demonstrate excellence in music. Additionally, many music programs at universities offer scholarship opportunities for students who demonstrate a commitment to their craft.
What instrument is most likely to get a scholarship?
While the violin is a popular instrument, the most likely instruments to receive a scholarship are instruments such as the harp, tuba, oboe, or the bassoon. As fewer people play these instruments, they are often given more attention and scholarship opportunities. Other instruments that may be considered for scholarship opportunities include the piano, clarinet, flute, saxophone and percussion instruments. Those who play multiple instruments may also be more likely to receive a scholarship.
What type of music scholarships are there?
There are a variety of music scholarships available, depending on the applicant’s interests and skill level. Some common types of music scholarships include performance-based awards, composition awards, music theory scholarships and music education scholarships.
Additionally, many universities and conservatories offer music scholarships specifically for their students.
What GPA to get a full-ride scholarship?
The GPA requirements for a full-ride scholarship vary depending on the school and the type of scholarship. Generally, you will need to have a very high GPA (usually 3.5 or above) to be eligible for a full-ride scholarship.
What is the easiest scholarship to get?
Many scholarships do not require an extensive application process and are quite easy to get. Examples of easy scholarships include no essay scholarships, scholarship drawings and scholarships for unusual talents or skills.
Do colleges look for music?
Different colleges have different policies regarding music and the admissions process. Some colleges may not consider music at all when considering applicants, while other colleges may look for music as part of their admissions process.
If music is important to you, it is worth researching the admissions policies of any college you are considering.
Does music look good on college applications?
Yes, music can look good on college applications. Music can be used to demonstrate creativity, self-discipline and teamwork skills. Colleges may be impressed by music proficiency, awards and involvement in music activities such as recitals or competitions.
For example, if a student has taken part in a music ensemble or has had a significant role in a school production, this can be a great addition to their application.
What instruments impress colleges?
Colleges are typically impressed by any instrument that demonstrates a student’s commitment to music, as well as their ability to practice, learn and grow.
Instruments that can demonstrate those qualities can range from classical instruments such as the violin or piano to jazz instruments such as the saxophone or trumpet, to rock instruments such as the guitar or bass.
What instrument is most in demand?
The guitar, piano and violin are all instruments that are in high demand. The guitar is probably the most popular instrument, as it is relatively easy to learn and can be used to play a variety of genres. The piano is also a popular instrument, as it is versatile and can provide a wide range of sounds. The violin is also very popular, as it is seen as a classical instrument and is often used in classical and contemporary music. All three of these instruments are in high demand and are used in a variety of settings.
What is the most competitive music school?
This is a difficult question to answer as there are many highly competitive music schools around the world. Some of the most competitive music schools include the Juilliard School in New York City, the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna, the Royal College of Music in London and the University of Oxford in England.
What grade do you have to be to get a music scholarship?
The grade requirements for a music scholarship vary depending on the school and program. Generally, students must have a good academic record and demonstrate a high level of talent and potential in their music studies.
