Guatemalan-born artist Liza Daniela has been accepted as a voting member of the Recording Academy, the organization responsible for the GRAMMY Awards. The acceptance highlights the growing recognition of diverse immigrant voices within the American music industry and arrives alongside the release of her debut single "Extraño Tanto" through RBMG Music.
Los Angeles, California, USA, Friday 21st August, 2026 - The Recording Academy, the prestigious organization behind the annual GRAMMY Awards, has accepted Guatemalan-born artist Liza Daniela as a voting member. The milestone places her among an influential body of music professionals who determine the highest honors in the recording industry, and represents a significant moment for Latina immigrant representation within that institution.
For Liza Daniela, the acceptance is the culmination of a career that has spanned decades and crossed multiple artistic boundaries. A classically trained vocalist with deep roots in musical theatre, she has built her reputation over years of live performance, cultural engagement, plus creative work that extends into children's literature. Her path to the Recording Academy has been anything but conventional, and that is precisely what makes her membership meaningful.
The acceptance comes at a pivotal moment in her career. Liza Daniela recently released her new single "Extraño Tanto" under RBMG Music, a cinematic pop track infused with the emotional depth and theatrical sensibility that define her artistic identity. The song, whose title translates to "Oh how much I miss," was written by renowned Mexican composer, actor and director: Ricardo Díaz, and produced by the highly sought-after Guatemalan producer: Rodrigo Villagrán. Its lush production and powerful vocal delivery place it in the tradition of emotionally rich pop music that appeals to fans of artists such as Andrea Bocelli and Kristin Chenoweth.
Her journey from Guatemala to the United States as a young student with a dream is a story of determination and artistic evolution. Her work within musical theatre sharpened her ability to inhabit characters and convey complex emotions through song, skills that translate powerfully into her recorded music.
The cultural significance of her work has been recognized by institutions across both sides of her dual heritage. Guatemala's Ministry of Culture and Sports honored Liza Daniela for her role in a production of Godspell, acknowledging her contribution to the arts. In the United States, she has performed at the North Carolina Executive Mansion during an International Women's Day celebration, sharing the stage alongside other distinguished women who have made meaningful contributions to their communities and professions.
Perhaps one of her most symbolically powerful performances was being invited to sing the United States National Anthem during a World Refugee Day event. For an immigrant artist, the act of performing the anthem during a ceremony dedicated to displaced people carried layers of personal and collective meaning. It was a moment that encapsulated her identity as someone who lives between two worlds and finds beauty in both.
Her acceptance to the Recording Academy adds institutional weight to a career already rich with achievement. As a voting member, Liza Daniela will participate within the process of evaluating and recognizing musical excellence, bringing her unique perspective as a Latina immigrant artist to those deliberations. Within an industry that continues to grapple with questions of diversity and representation, her presence within the Academy is a step toward a more inclusive understanding of what American music sounds like.
This combination of her Recording Academy membership, her debut release under her new identity: "Liza Daniela", under RBMG Music, and her history of culturally significant performances positions Liza Daniela as an artist to watch over the coming year. Her story speaks to a growing audience of Latino and crossover music lovers who seek out artists with substance, authenticity, and the vocal power to match.
Liza Daniela's career is a reminder that the most compelling art often comes from artists who have lived the stories they tell. With her voice now part of the conversation that shapes the music industry's most coveted awards, her influence is poised to extend far past the recording studio.
About Liza Daniela
Liza Daniela is a Guatemalan-born artist and voting member of the Recording Academy. A classically trained vocalist with deep roots in musical theatre, she has built a career spanning live performance, cultural engagement, and children's literature. She recently released her debut single "Extraño Tanto" through RBMG Music, written by Mexican composer, actor, and director Ricardo Díaz and produced by Guatemalan producer Rodrigo Villagrán. Her performances include the North Carolina Executive Mansion for an International Women's Day celebration and the United States National Anthem at a World Refugee Day event. Guatemala's Ministry of Culture and Sports has recognized her for her role in a production of Godspell. More information is available at lizadaniela.com.
CONTACT:
This release is published as issued by the organization named above, which stands behind its content.
