Madrid, 26 March 2025 – Laura Halpern, President of Fundación Occident, and Paloma O’Shea, Founding President of the Reina Sofía School of Music, have signed an extension of their collaboration agreement to increase support to two annual scholarships. Named the ‘Federico Halpern Scholarships by Fundación Occident’, they will fund the training of young pianists.

Following the signing ceremony, a visit to the School took place with the participation of Josep Maria Serra, President of GCO (Grupo Catalana Occidente), and Julia Sánchez Abeal, CEO of the Reina Sofía School of Music.

Since 2022, Fundación Occident has granted one annual scholarship, awarded to young pianist Álex Arroyo, a student at the School since that same year. In May, he will make his debut as a soloist with orchestra in a concert with the Sant Cugat Orchestra. He has also won two consecutive editions of the BBVA Music Prize and received an Honour Diploma at the Ricard Viñes International Piano Competition.

By expanding its support to two scholarships, Fundación Occident strengthens its commitment to education and culture, while the Reina Sofía School of Music continues to advance its mission of offering top-level training with free tuition to talented young musicians.

During the event, both presidents stressed the importance of musical education of excellence and the fundamental role of patronage in the training of future generations of professional musicians.