Meet Carlitos Lopez

Grammy and Latin Grammy Award Winner

Carlitos Lopez (Carlos Fernando Lopez), is an accomplished producer, composer, and conductor who seamlessly bridges the worlds of classical and popular music. His remarkable achievements include winning the Latin Grammy Award for Best Christian Album in 2022 for Marcos Witt’s Viviré, Best Contemporary Classical Composition in 2020 for his work Sacre, and Record of the Year at the 2019 Latin Grammy Awards for Mi Persona Favorita. In addition to these accolades, Carlos proudly holds a Grammy Award for Best Latin Pop Album in 2016, an honor he earned alongside the iconic Ricky Martin.

Recently, Carlitos co-produced Bad Bunny's hit Nadie Sabe and toured with him across the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico, conducting The POP Orchestra (The Philharmonic Orchestra Project)—an ensemble he assembled with musicians based in Miami, Florida. The orchestra performed Bad Bunny’s songs as well as Carlitos’ original music. Additionally, he co-produced the album XX  by the iconic group Il Divo, celebrating their 20th anniversary.

Carlos’s audio production skills have also earned him an Emmy nomination in the category of Audio for Eudora's Fable: The Shoe Bird, a collaboration with renowned conductor Gerard Schwarz, narrator Charle Adler, and the Palm Beach Symphony Orchestra.

A Legacy of Musical Excellence

Carlos’s musical journey began with his grandfather, an opera singer who ignited his passion for the art form. His formal training started at the age of 10 at the Tolima Conservatory, where he studied bassoon. After moving to Bogotá with his family, he continued his education in piano and composition at the National Conservatory of Colombia. At just 15, Carlos won the Young Performers Competition of the National Symphony Orchestra of Colombia, showcasing his piano virtuosity as a soloist with the orchestra.

A Distinguished Education

Carlos has achieved remarkable academic milestones, reflecting his profound commitment to his craft. He holds a Doctorate in Orchestra Conducting, a Magna Cum Laude degree in Music Production, and a Master’s degree in Composition from the esteemed University of Miami - Frost School of Music.

A Rich Tapestry of Collaborations

Carlos’s influence extends far and wide through over 200 collaborative works with renowned artists such as Ricky Martin, Laura Pausini, Bad Bunny, Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony, Alejandro Sanz, Fonseca, Il Divo, Andres Cepeda, Pablo Alborán, and many others. He also co-produced the celebratory 50th-anniversary album of the Philharmonic Orchestra of Bogotá, which earned a Latin Grammy for Best Engineered Album. In 2016, he lent his orchestrating and conducting talents to the virtual experience game Mars 2030 in partnership with NASA and Fusion TV, collaborating with the London Symphony Orchestra.

A Commitment to Education

Carlos’s dedication to the transformative power of music and education is unwavering. He began his teaching career at the age of 18 at the Superior Academy of Arts of Bogotá, where he held roles including Assistant Professor, Music Department Director, and Director of the accreditation committee. Carlos played a pivotal role in transforming the Superior Academy into the School of Arts at District University and served as Advisor to the President of the University, Carlos Ossa Escobar, contributing to the university’s restructuring efforts.

Carlos also coordinated the National Plan of Music for Coexistence across 110 small towns in Colombia in collaboration with the Colombian Culture Ministry. He served as the academic advisor for Canzion Institute of Music, an institution with a global presence encompassing more than 65 schools worldwide.

Carlos Lopez's journey is a testament to the transformative power of music and education, and his dedication continues to enrich the world of music and inspire future generations.