On May 17, 550 Chicago-area high school students gained first-hand knowledge of the music industry during GRAMMY Career Day at Columbia College Chicago.
The day began with students checking in and being escorted to their first workshop choice. Workshop sessions included: "The Producer And The Engineer" with GRAMMY-nominated producer/ remixer Steve “Silk” Hurley of Silk Entertainment and engineer Larry Sturm of Pressure Point Recording Studio; "Running A Record Label" with Jenn Uhen, marketing and promotions for Aware Records; "Songwriting" with singer/songwriter Alice Peacock of Peacock Music and singer/songwriter Ralph Covert of Ralph's World/The Bad Examples; "Mastering Your Instrument" with violinist Rachel Barton Pine; "The Business Behind The Music" with artist/producer/executive Donald Lawrence of Quite Water Entertainment and entertainment attorney Heather Nelson, Esq., of Do or Die/Max-A-Million; "Vocal Arts: Going From Just Being A Singer To Becoming A Great Artist" with Sterling Voice Coach Ltd. Executive Director/professional voice coach Lyndia Johnson, singer/songwriter Terisa Griffin and Blue Note recording artist Jackie Allen; "Lighting DesignA Live Lighting Production" with lighting director Richard Locklin, who has worked with Paul Simon and Stevie Wonder; "Making Your Mark In The Media" radio personality/author/media specialist/motivational speaker Nikki Woods and radio personality Nia B; "Telling The World About You: Putting Together A Professional Demo Package" with three-time Chicago Music Award nominee for entertainer of the year, Joan Hammell, and professional vocalist Kathy Bigley; and "Becoming A Star Through Myspace And YouTube" with Anand Bhatt, executive director of Sonic Wave International.
After their second workshop sessions, all attendees were addressed by Executive Director Tera Healy and Education Committee Chairperson Lyndia Johnson, who spoke about the importance of music education, as well as other GRAMMY Foundation programs available for high school students. Midwest ASCAP Representative Shawn Murphy then led an "Up Close And Musical" interview with Rocco Deluca, whose unique style connected with the students as he spoke about his early influences and touring life. The day concluded with rousing performances by Rocco DeLuca And The Burden and Rachel Barton Pine.
Special thanks to Dimitri Moore, Charlie Celander, Ted Cho, Lyndia Johnson, Rachel Barton Pine, Shawn Murphy, Rocco DeLuca And The Burden, all of our workshops hosts, and the teachers and students in attendance.