Award-winning music producer and musician Ivan Duran is the founder and director of Stonetree Records, based in Benque Viejo del Carmen

Benque Viejo del Carmen

Benque Viejo del Carmen is a town in the Cayo District in the country of Belize.-History:The town was established in the 19th century, mostly by immigrants from Guatemala. During the first years of the 21st century, the town experienced a rapid boom in population...

 in Belize

Belize

Belize is a constitutional monarchy and the northernmost country in Central America. Belize has a diverse society, comprising many cultures and languages. Even though Kriol and Spanish are spoken among the population, Belize is the only country in Central America where English is the official...

, Stonetree is one of the region’s leading independent record labels and music recording studios. To date, he has produced over 30 albums featuring the rich and unique musical styles of Belize and the region.

Since founding Stonetree in 1995, Duran has been an avid promoter of Belizean music overseas, attending numerous World Music trade fairs and presenting local artists in music festivals around the world. In 2007 he received the prestigious WOMEX

WOMEX

WOMEX is an international world music support and development project based in Berlin, whose main event is an exposition held annually in different locations throughout Europe. It integrates a trade fair, showcases, conferences, film market, networking sessions, and awards...

 award alongside the late great Andy Palacio

Andy Palacio

Andy Vivian Palacio was a Belizean Punta musician and government official. He was also a leading activist for the Garínagu and their culture.-Biography:...

for their work on the chart topping Watina album, voted by Amazon.com as the #1 World Music album of all time.

In 2003, he co-founded MIAB (The Music Industry Association of Belize) As president of MIAB he is actively involved in promoting and creating awareness of all kinds of local music and produces the annual Belize Music Week.