Trinidad and Tobago had double reason to celebrate on Sunday night as two nationals earned top honours at the 68th Grammy Awards.

Music conductor Kwamé Ryan won Best Opera Recording for Heggie: Intelligence, recorded with the Houston Grand Opera, while video producer Jolene Mendes was recognised for her work on the video of rapper Doechii’s hit song Anxiety.

Ryan’s award-winning project was recorded during the opera’s world premiere in 2023 and released in August 2025.

Ryan, who was born in Toronto, is currently the music director of the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra and has become the first music director in the orchestra’s history to receive a Grammy. The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra congratulated Ryan on the historic achievement.

He is the son late historian, author, social scientist Professor Selwyn Ryan and his wife Jan Ryan.

Ryan is also a 2017 ANSA Laureate and former director of the UTT Academy for the Performing Arts.

In his acceptance speech, Ryan reflected on the significance of the moment, noting that he is among a small number of Black music conductors.

“We are a small demographic but getting less so one generation at a time and moments like these could be so inspirational for the people who will follow,” Ryan said.

Charlotte Symphony President and CEO David Fisk also praised the conductor’s achievement.

“Kwamé Ryan’s Grammy win reflects what audiences in Charlotte experience every time he steps on the podium,” Fisk said. “We are incredibly proud of Kwamé and this well-deserved honour. He brings extraordinary clarity, emotional depth, and purpose to the music, and this recognition underscores the artistic vision shaping the future of the Charlotte Symphony.”

Ryan is scheduled to return to Charlotte to conduct the orchestra in Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5 on February 13 and 14 at the Belk Theater.

Meanwhile, video producer Jolene Mendes picked up her Grammy for her contribution to the visual production of Anxiety. 

In a brief acceptance speech, Mendes described the experience as “the best job in world” and thanked the creative team involved in bringing the project to life.