Michel Camilo Presidential Scholarship Awarded to Santo Domingo Student

Diego Ureña Santana, a guitarist from Santo Domingo, will begin his studies at Berklee this fall with costs covered by the Michel Camilo Presidential Scholarship.

December 11, 2017

Berklee College of Music has awarded the Michel Camilo Presidential Scholarship to Diego Ureña Santana, a guitarist from Santo Domingo, Domincan Republic. The full scholarship will cover tuition and room and board, renewable over four years of study. Ureña will begin studies in the fall of 2018.

Ureña was awarded the scholarship in December after a successful audition at the Conservatorio Nacional de Música in Santo Domingo, where Berklee faculty and special guest Camilo held clinics in performance, composition, and music technology. The award provides Ureña with the opportunity to prepare for a career in music through the unique benefits of a Berklee education.

"I couldn't be more grateful with God and life for all the good that's happening," regaled Ureña.

A native of the Dominican Republic, Camilo also began his education at the Conservatorio Nacional de Música before launching a career that has brought him Grammy, Latin Grammy and Emmy Awards, and international recognition as jazz pianist, composer, bandleader.

"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. It was challenging for the jury to choose a winner,” said Camilo. “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."

The Michel Camilo Presidential Scholarship is made possible through the generosity of Sandra and Michel Camilo, Trustee Emeritus Michael Dreese, and friends of the Camilos.