I am Alejandro La Grotta, a Panama-born musician, composer, and music producer running Tierra Roja Music, a full-service music production agency and recording studio. I specialize in sound design and audio branding, with over two decades of experience across musical theatre, television, live shows, film, and advertising. I’ve built a prolific career collaborating with Panama’s top artists and international names, delivering original music, soundtracks, and scores for theatre productions, films, and branding campaigns. Under my leadership, Tierra Roja Music has grown into a recognized culture-focused enterprise, including directing the Panama Music Academy (2015–2016) and achieving nationwide accreditation endorsed by Meduca. I’ve written iconic music for the musical 1903 (2019), co-written Perasen el Huerto (2005), and created soundtracks for projects such as Los Tiempos del Agua and Algo Azul. In 2024 I premiered Tumbadores and Balboa El Musical as a composer, continuing to expand collaborations with renowned artists like Erika Ender, Joey Montana, and Gilberto Santa Rosa.

Alejandro La Grotta

I am Alejandro La Grotta, a Panama-born musician, composer, and music producer running Tierra Roja Music, a full-service music production agency and recording studio. I specialize in sound design and audio branding, with over two decades of experience across musical theatre, television, live shows, film, and advertising. I’ve built a prolific career collaborating with Panama’s top artists and international names, delivering original music, soundtracks, and scores for theatre productions, films, and branding campaigns. Under my leadership, Tierra Roja Music has grown into a recognized culture-focused enterprise, including directing the Panama Music Academy (2015–2016) and achieving nationwide accreditation endorsed by Meduca. I’ve written iconic music for the musical 1903 (2019), co-written Perasen el Huerto (2005), and created soundtracks for projects such as Los Tiempos del Agua and Algo Azul. In 2024 I premiered Tumbadores and Balboa El Musical as a composer, continuing to expand collaborations with renowned artists like Erika Ender, Joey Montana, and Gilberto Santa Rosa.

Available to hire

I am Alejandro La Grotta, a Panama-born musician, composer, and music producer running Tierra Roja Music, a full-service music production agency and recording studio. I specialize in sound design and audio branding, with over two decades of experience across musical theatre, television, live shows, film, and advertising. I’ve built a prolific career collaborating with Panama’s top artists and international names, delivering original music, soundtracks, and scores for theatre productions, films, and branding campaigns.

Under my leadership, Tierra Roja Music has grown into a recognized culture-focused enterprise, including directing the Panama Music Academy (2015–2016) and achieving nationwide accreditation endorsed by Meduca. I’ve written iconic music for the musical 1903 (2019), co-written Perasen el Huerto (2005), and created soundtracks for projects such as Los Tiempos del Agua and Algo Azul. In 2024 I premiered Tumbadores and Balboa El Musical as a composer, continuing to expand collaborations with renowned artists like Erika Ender, Joey Montana, and Gilberto Santa Rosa.

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Language

Spanish; Castilian
Fluent
English
Fluent

Work Experience

Director at Panama Music Academy
December 31, 2016 - July 8, 2025
Led the Panama Music Academy from 2015 to 2016, achieving national accreditation by UNIEDPA and recognition as a curricular unit endorsed by the Ministry of Education of Panama. Oversaw program development and academic excellence.
Composer, Sound Designer, Music Producer, Artist at Tierra Roja Music
January 1, 2003 - Present
Founder and operator of Tierra Roja Music, a music production agency and recording studio specializing in sound design and audio branding. Developed numerous projects in cultural management, brand identity, original music for film, musical theater, live shows, advertising, and artist development. Created soundtracks and musical scores for notable films and musicals such as Balboa The Musical and Tumbadores.
Director at Panama Music Academy
December 31, 2016 - July 28, 2025
Led the Panama Music Academy from 2015 to 2016, achieving national accreditation by UNIEDPA, establishing the Academy as a recognized curricular unit endorsed by Panama's Ministry of Education (Meduca).
Director at Panama Music Academy
December 31, 2016 - July 28, 2025
Led the Panama Music Academy (2015-2016), achieving national accreditation by UNIEDPA and making the Academy a recognized curricular unit endorsed by the Ministry of Education of Panama.
Director at Panama Music Academy
January 1, 2015 - January 1, 2016
Directed the Panama Music Academy (2015–2016); under leadership, achieved national accreditation endorsed by Meduca and supported by UNESCO-related accreditation processes.
Co-writer / Composer at Peras En El Huerto
January 1, 2005 - Present
Co-wrote the musical Peras En El Huerto (2005).
Composer / Music Producer at 1903 The Musical
January 1, 2019 - Present
Composer for the musical 1903 The Musical (2019); contributed to its successful run and cultural impact.
Composer at Algo Azul
January 1, 2020 - Present
Composed the music for the film Algo Azul (2020); distributed on HBO and Amazon Prime as a landmark Panamanian Romantic Comedy.
Composer / Soundtrack Composer at Los Tiempos del Agua (Panama Canal Museum film)
January 1, 2019 - Present
Developed the soundtrack for the Panama Canal Museum film Los Tiempos del Agua, becoming a major attraction of the Panama Canal Tour.
Composer at Tumbadore s
January 1, 2024 - Present
Composer for the film Tumbadore s (premiered 2024).
Composer at Balboa El Musical
January 1, 2024 - Present
Composer for Balboa El Musical (premiered 2024).

Education

Music Production Degree at London School of Sound
February 15, 2012 - December 30, 2014
Music Production with speciality on Sound Design and Film Scoring
Bachelor's Degree in Advertising at National University of Panama
January 1, 1996 - December 31, 1996
Engineering in Computer Systems at Latin University of Panama
January 1, 2001 - December 31, 2001
Audio Technology, Bass Guitar at Panama Music Academy
January 1, 2012 - December 31, 2012
Music Production and Sound Design, Acoustics at London School of Sound, London
January 1, 2014 - December 31, 2014
School Management and Supervision at Inter-American University of Distance Education
January 1, 2014 - December 31, 2014
Diploma in Theology at Hillsong Bible College, London
January 1, 2014 - December 31, 2014
Bachelor's Degree in Theology at International Institute of Theology
January 1, 2018 - December 31, 2018
Certified Black Belt in Shotokan Karate at Traditional Karate International Confederation (TKIC)
January 1, 2023 - December 31, 2023
Bachelor's Degree in Advertising at National University of Panama
January 1, 1996 - December 31, 1996
Engineering in Computer Systems at Latin University of Panama
January 1, 2001 - December 31, 2001
Audio Technology, Bass Guitar at Panama Music Academy
January 1, 2012 - December 31, 2012
Music Production and Sound Design, Acoustics at London School of Sound, London
January 1, 2014 - December 31, 2014
School Management and Supervision at Inter-American University of Distance Education
January 1, 2014 - December 31, 2014
Diploma in Theology at Hillsong Bible College, London
January 1, 2014 - December 31, 2014
Bachelor's Degree in Theology at International Institute of Theology
January 1, 2018 - December 31, 2018
Certified Black Belt in Shotokan Karate at Traditional Karate International Confederation (TKIC)
January 1, 2023 - December 31, 2023
Bachelor's Degree at National University of Panama
January 1, 1996 - December 31, 1996
Engineering in Computer Systems at Latin University of Panama
January 1, 2001 - December 31, 2001
Audio Technology, Bass Guitar at Panama Music Academy
January 1, 2012 - December 31, 2012
Music Production and Sound Design, Acoustics at London School of Sound, London
January 1, 2014 - December 31, 2014
School Management and Supervision at Inter-American University of Distance Education
January 1, 2014 - December 31, 2014
Diploma in Theology at Hillsong Bible College, London
January 1, 2014 - December 31, 2014
Bachelor's Degree in Theology at International Institute of Theology
January 1, 2018 - December 31, 2018
Bachelor's Degree at National University of Panama
January 1, 1996 - December 31, 1996
Engineering in Computer Systems at Latin University of Panama
January 1, 2001 - December 31, 2001
Audio Technology, Bass Guitar at Panama Music Academy
January 1, 2012 - December 31, 2012
Music Production and Sound Design, Acoustics at London School of Sound, London
January 1, 2014 - December 31, 2014
School Management and Supervision at Inter-American University of Distance Education
January 1, 2014 - December 31, 2014
Diploma in Theology at Hillsong Bible College, London
January 1, 2014 - December 31, 2014
Bachelor's Degree at International Institute of Theology
January 1, 2018 - December 31, 2018
Bachelor's Degree at National University of Panama
January 1, 1996 - December 31, 1996
Engineering in Computer Systems at Latin University of Panama
January 1, 2001 - December 31, 2001
Bachelor's Degree in Advertising at National University of Panama
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2001
Engineering in Computer Systems at Latin University of Panama
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2012
Audio Technology, Bass Guitar at Panama Music Academy
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2014
London School of Sound – Music Production and Sound Design, Acoustics at London School of Sound
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2014
Distance Education School Management and Supervision at Inter-American University of Distance Education
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2014
Diploma in Theology at Hillsong Bible College, London
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2018
Bachelor's Degree in Theology at International Institute of Theology
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2023
Traditional Karate – Black Belt (ShotoKan) at TKIC
January 11, 2030 - April 16, 2026

Qualifications

Certified Black Belt in Shotokan Karate
January 1, 2023 - December 31, 2023
Certified Black Belt in Shotokan Karate
January 1, 2023 - December 31, 2023
Audio Technology, Bass Guitar
January 1, 2012 - December 31, 2012
Music Production and Sound Design, Acoustics
January 1, 2014 - December 31, 2014
School Management and Supervision
January 1, 2014 - December 31, 2014
Diploma in Theology
January 1, 2014 - December 31, 2014
Bachelor's Degree in Theology
January 1, 2018 - December 31, 2018
Certified Black Belt in Shotokan Karate
January 1, 2023 - December 31, 2023
Best Song - Bandera
January 1, 2020 - April 16, 2026
Best Music Video - Life Bonita
January 1, 2009 - April 16, 2026
Best New Artist and Best Song - Oasis
January 1, 2005 - April 16, 2026
Academic recognition - Panama Rocks/La Academia
January 11, 2030 - April 16, 2026

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Education, Government, Non-Profit Organization, Professional Services, Financial Services, Travel & Hospitality
    paper Ojue - Short Film Soundtrack


    Composing the score for Ojue was both a creative challenge and a deeply emotional journey.
    The music required a careful balance between the grandeur of a symphonic language and the soul of Panama’s traditional soundscape. To achieve this fusion, I combined orchestral textures with Panamanian folk instruments, incorporating elements such as a marching band, traditional tamborito rhythms, native instruments, and modern samples.

    The result is a hybrid score that lives simultaneously in two worlds: cinematic and folkloric, expansive yet intimate. Each musical decision was crafted to support the emotional arc of the film, placing special emphasis on the human moments that drive the story.

    At its core, Ojue is a deeply moving narrative about the bond between a father and his daughter. The music serves as an emotional storyteller, amplifying unspoken feelings, guiding the audience through moments of tenderness, tension, and reconciliation, and giving voice to a relationship shaped by love, loss, and identity.

    This score is not only a soundtrack to the film, but a musical reflection of cultural heritage, emotional truth, and cinematic storytelling.

    paper Tumbadores Movie - Film Scoring Composer


    The score for Tumbadores embraces a bold, contemporary approach to action film scoring.
    Built almost entirely from synthesizers, the music creates a psycho-futuristic soundscape that reflects the raw intensity and moral ambiguity of a world driven by crime and power. Rather than relying on traditional orchestration, the score leans into electronic textures to construct an atmosphere that feels both dangerous and forward-looking.

    The soundtrack is intentionally emotional, minimalistic, and daring. Tension is shaped through evolving oscillators, pulsing low frequencies, and synthetic ambiences that stretch and breathe with the narrative. These sonic elements are used not only to heighten action sequences, but to immerse the audience in a constant state of unease, anticipation, and psychological pressure.

    What makes this score especially distinctive is its deeply personal execution. Nearly every sound heard throughout the film was performed and crafted by me, allowing for complete creative control over the musical identity of the story. This hands-on approach results in a cohesive, contemporary, and at times experimental soundtrack that functions as an extension of the film’s emotional core.

    The music of Tumbadores does not simply accompany the action—it drives it, pushing the narrative forward with a sound that is unapologetically modern, immersive, and fearless.

    uniE608 1903 The Musical - Music Composer / Songwriter
    1903 The Musical: A musical theater production that narrates the story of Panama's separation from Colombia in 1903. This captivating show was performed at the National Theater and achieved tremendous success, with three sold-out seasons.
    uniE608 Tiempo Perfecto - Liz Grimaldo
    Tiempo Perfecto ( Perfect Time ) Original Song for the Movie "Algo Azul" Something Blue streaming on HBO and Prime Tv. videoeditor songwriting filmscoring musicproducer multi-instrumentalist