Silvana Estrada is entering a major new chapter: The Mexican singer-songwriter has been appointed the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s first creative director of Latin music while celebrating six nominations at the 27th Latin Grammy Awards.

The recognition arrives one year after the 2025 release of her second album, Vendrán Suaves Lluvias. Estrada has since carried the independently produced project to venues and countries around the world, including Mexico City’s Teatro Metropólitan and La Cigale in Paris.

At the Latin Grammys, taking place Thursday, Nov. 12, in Las Vegas, Estrada will compete for album of the year. “Dime” is nominated for record of the year, song of the year and best singer-songwriter song, while the album is also up for best singer-songwriter album. “El Alma Mía” completes the six-nomination total with a nod for best roots song.

“For me, all of this is much more than I ever imagined,” Estrada said in a video interview with Billboard Español. “It’s the cherry on top of something very beautiful that was already happening.”

A New Creative Role at the LA Phil

As creative director of Latin music, Estrada will curate programming and develop original projects for the Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Hollywood Bowl and The Ford. She described the position as an opportunity to imagine concepts around Latin identity and then work with the LA Phil team to bring those ideas to life.

Estrada is not new to the organization. During the past three years, she has performed at its venues through projects including “Canto En Resistencia,” worked with Youth Orchestra Los Angeles and collaborated with Rubén Blades and Cécile McLorin Salvant.

She said the appointment will allow her to invite artists she loves and admires, including people she believes are reshaping, expanding or elevating Latin American music.

“Latin America isn’t just one sound or one thing, it’s truly an infinite musical field,” Estrada said. “Being able to work with that and bring it to venues I love is a privilege.”

The 29-year-old artist said she believes the appointment will last two years. She also credited Gustavo Dudamel and the LA Phil with creating spaces that showcase the stories, pride and identity of the Latin American diaspora in the United States.

Six Nominations for an Independent Album

Estrada’s Latin Grammy showing carries particular significance for the singer-songwriter, who said only three people handle the work surrounding her career. Vendrán Suaves Lluvias was recorded across five countries over three years, and she described the album as ambitious, demanding and a substantial investment.

She said she had not imagined competing in major fields such as album, record and song of the year, categories she associated with artists supported by major labels and much larger teams.

The six nominations add to Estrada’s history with the awards. She won best new artist in 2022 and has received nine additional nominations since then, including this year’s slate.

The album’s run also expanded in October with Vendrán Suaves Lluvias (y el tiempo prudente). The special edition includes new songs “Pensarte” and “Todo Baila,” with the latter featuring M. Ward.

Estrada has continued performing during that period, including appearances as Mon Laferte’s guest and opening act on several U.S. dates of the Femme Fatale Tour. She described the experience as inspiring and said the two have been traveling on the same bus.

The Tour Will End With a Career Milestone

Before beginning her LA Phil position, Estrada is scheduled to perform at the Latin Grammys. She will then make her Auditorio Nacional debut in Mexico City on Dec. 12 and 13, closing her tour with what she called the most significant stage of her career so far.

The two performances are being designed as a journey through ten years of her career. Although Estrada is keeping the details under wraps, she said the shows will acknowledge her beginnings and move from her early days playing the Venezuelan cuatro through to an orchestra.

The concerts will also serve as her thank-you to the audience that bought tickets. Estrada noted that the two dates were filled without promotion or street billboards.

ShowBiz Take

Estrada’s latest developments place two different kinds of recognition side by side. Her six Latin Grammy nominations honor an independently produced album created over three years, while the LA Phil appointment gives her a platform to shape and present broader ideas about Latin music and identity.

The timing is also meaningful. Rather than moving directly from an extended tour into another run of stage commitments, Estrada plans to step back from performing while focusing her attention on creative work away from touring. Her new role allows the end of one demanding chapter to become the start of another, with curation and project development replacing the constant pace of live appearances.

What Happens Next?

After the Latin Grammys and the two Auditorio Nacional concerts, Estrada plans to take a sabbatical year away from the stage. She said she is looking forward to returning home, resting and living more slowly while giving herself the mental space to develop ideas for the LA Phil.

The break will not mean a complete halt to her work. Estrada said she has several projects planned that do not involve touring, although further details have not yet been announced.