Paraguayan classical guitarist Berta Rojas concluded the 2026 Latin Grammy Awards without a new trophy, despite receiving three nominations for her latest project, La Huella de las Cuerdas (The Journey of Strings). The winners were announced on 12 November 2026, during the 27th Annual Latin Grammy Awards in Las Vegas, United States. Although Rojas did not win, her nominations highlighted Paraguayan talent in music, composition and visual design.
The project competed in Best Instrumental Album, Best Contemporary Classical Composition and Best Recording Package. These nominations also recognised the contributions of composer Élodie Bouny and Paraguayan designer Celeste Prieto. The ceremony brought together leading Latin American artists, celebrating achievements across numerous musical genres.
Who won in Berta Rojas’ categories?
In the Best Instrumental Album category, the award went to A Tribute to Benny Moré and Nat King Cole, performed by Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Joey Calveiro and Yainer Horta. The project prevailed over four other nominated albums, including Rojas’ La Huella de las Cuerdas. The category also featured Brazilian musicians Yamandu Costa, Hamilton de Holanda and other instrumental performers.
The Best Contemporary Classical Composition award went to Adagio de las Tres y Diez (for Bandoneón & String Orchestra), composed by Richard Scofano. Rojas was nominated through Tríptico Sudamericano, written by Élodie Bouny. The composition brings the Paraguayan guitarist together with musicians playing the charango, Venezuelan cuatro and mandolin, highlighting Latin America’s string traditions.
Meanwhile, Best Recording Package went to La Vida Era Más Corta, by Argentine musician Milo J. The award recognised art director Camilo Joaquín Villarruel for the album’s visual presentation. Paraguayan designer Celeste Prieto competed in the category for her work on La Huella de las Cuerdas. Her design combines a vinyl record, an art book and augmented-reality elements that allow audiences to explore the featured instruments.
A project celebrating Latin American music
Despite not receiving an award this year, La Huella de las Cuerdas represents another milestone in Rojas’ international career. The project brings together 17 artists from 10 countries, following more than two years of research and production. Rojas travelled approximately 13,000 kilometres to explore the musical traditions and histories of string instruments across Latin America.
The album extends beyond music recordings, incorporating documentary stories, photography and musicological texts. The work’s central objective is to explore the connections between different Latin American musical traditions and the classical guitar.
The three nominations also represent an important achievement for the Paraguayan creative industry. In particular, Prieto’s nomination marked the first recognition of a Paraguayan designer in the Latin Grammy Best Recording Package category.
Berta Rojas’ Latin Grammy legacy
Rojas previously won two Latin Grammy Awards in 2022 for her album Legado. The project received Best Classical Album, becoming the first Paraguayan album to win a Latin Grammy. Legado also earned Best Contemporary Classical Composition for Anido’s Portrait, written by Brazilian composer Sergio Assad.
Beyond her recordings, Rojas continues to promote Latin American music internationally. She serves as an Associate Professor at Berklee College of Music in Boston and joined the Latin Recording Academy’s Board of Trustees in 2023.
Although the 2026 ceremony did not add another trophy to her collection, Rojas’ three nominations placed Paraguayan music and design alongside internationally recognised artists. Her latest project continues to showcase the diversity of Latin America’s musical heritage to audiences worldwide.
