Once again, UF faculty and students shine at the annual Latin GRAMMY Awards
Musical mentorship doesn’t just happen in the recording studio; it often starts in the college classroom. And sometimes, it ends in a GRAMMY nomination, or even a win.
This reality has become commonplace for Jose Valentino Ruiz, Ph.D., who has embarked on numerous collaborations with his University of Florida students that have led to industry accolades. The most recent feat: a nomination for Best Instrumental Album of the Year for Claude Bolling Goes Latin: Suite for Flute & Latin Music Ensemble during the 25th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards on Nov. 14 in Miami.
“Creating and executing albums like these offers my students hands-on, experiential learning in recording, production, marketing, and management — skills that are instrumental in shaping their readiness for the industry,” Ruiz said. “By involving students directly in high-stakes work, they develop the confidence and expertise necessary to thrive in the industry, laying a solid foundation for future opportunities.”
Ruiz is a multi-Latin GRAMMY-award-winning artist, composer, producer, and engineer, who has scored eight nominations and four wins. He is the founder and director of UF’s Music Business and Entrepreneurship program in the College of the Arts' School of Music and the CEO of JV Music Enterprises, LLC. His graduate assistant, Denis Vasenin — a UF student pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Guitar Performance with a cognate in Entrepreneurship — played a pivotal role in the production of the 2024 GRAMMY-nominated album.
“This nomination holds a unique significance, as it celebrates not only an achievement in my career but also marks an intersection of cultural celebration and musical innovation,” Ruiz said, adding that the Recording Industry Association of America has deemed Latin music the most consumed genre for four consecutive years. “Amid the 23,000 submissions this year — an all-time high — this project’s selection is an acknowledgment of its excellence and its contributions to the genre’s ongoing legacy.”
Ruiz is the featured flutist on the Claude Bolling album, which blends Western classical music with Afro-American jazz by introducing Latin folk music and expanding the genre’s cultural relevance. The collaborative project brought together international talent from the National University of Costa Rica and Florida International University. The album is Ruiz’s third project to receive the prestigious Gold Medal Award of Excellence at the Global Music Awards — an honor awarded to only eight recipients out of thousands of global submissions each season.
Working on the album provided Ruiz with another opportunity to enhance his students’ experiential learning activities. He positioned Vasenin to lead the digital content strategy, marketing, and social media content creation for the album — giving him a chance to engage in real-world, project-based learning. Vasenin, who also serves as a co-instructor in the Music Business and Entrepreneurship program, crafted a compelling digital narrative that captured the album's mission and produced a series of videos that served as a behind-the-scenes documentary.
“This experience put Denis at the forefront of industry-level decision making — a rewarding challenge that enriched his practical knowledge and leadership skills,” Ruiz said. “Through participating in these albums, students like Denis gain invaluable resume-building experience, enhancing their marketability and demonstrating their ability to contribute to high-caliber productions. The joy of seeing students gain industry recognition is a testament to the power of collaborative projects that transform classrooms into launchpads for lasting careers in music.”
On the managerial side of the album, Ruiz collaborated with three UF colleagues: Eftihia Arkoudis, D.M.A., an adjunct lecturer in the Music Business and Entrepreneurship program; Silviu Ciulei, D.M., an assistant professor of guitar; and Thaddaeus Bourne, D.M.A., a visiting professor of voice. The contributions of these faculty members were essential to maintaining high-performance standards and managing the album’s multifaceted production aspects — from rehearsals to recording sessions.
“What makes UF such an exceptional environment for projects like this is the culture of collaboration and mutual support across disciplines. Together, we cultivate an entrepreneurial spirit that connects the School of Music and the College of the Arts, benefiting both faculty and students through shared creative and academic pursuits,” Ruiz said. “This approach aligns with the principle of effectuation — a concept in entrepreneurship that emphasizes using available resources and partnerships to co-create opportunities rather than waiting for ideal conditions. In this way, each of us not only advanced our individual goals but also enriched the collective mission to provide meaningful experiences for our students.”
On the state level, these collaborations are helping meet the evolving demands of Florida’s music production sector, which is experiencing rapid growth and requires a workforce that is well-versed in industry-relevant skills. UF music students — who are fortifying their resumes with critical, hands-on experiences in album production — are preparing to fill the need, statewide and beyond.