The GRAMMY Foundation Announces GRAMMY CAMP Students

The GRAMMY Foundation (www.grammyintheschools.com) announced today that 32 talented high school students from across the United States have been selected for positions in the 2013 GRAMMY Camp - Jazz Session (formerly known as GRAMMY Jazz Ensembles). Their selection launches them into the spotlight surrounding the 55th Annual GRAMMY Awards, and provides them with unparalleled opportunities to perform in front of some of music's biggest names. The students, representing 31 cities and 15 states, will travel to Los Angeles for a weeklong musical adventure under the direction of Justin DiCioccio of the Manhattan School of Music, Dr. Ron McCurdy of the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music and Dr. Leila Heil of the University of Colorado, Boulder. This year, two members will comprise the GRAMMY in the Schools Media Team, and they will document the GRAMMY Week experience for a range of the GRAMMY Foundation's social media platforms. Many past members of the GRAMMY Camp - Jazz Session program go on to enjoy thriving performance careers, including singer/pianist Peter Cincotti (2001), two-time GRAMMY-nominated jazz pianist Gerald Clayton (2002), New York Philharmonic bassist David Grossman (1995), GRAMMY-nominated singer-songwriter Brandon Heath (1994), saxophonist Grace Kelly (2008), and pianist Aaron Parks (2000).

"Since 1993, GRAMMY Camp - Jazz Session has provided students with an extraordinary musical experience that brings to life the mission of the GRAMMY Foundation: to foster the next generation of music and its makers," said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of the GRAMMY Foundation and The Recording Academy. "While they're here, these young artists will experience a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity when they play with their peers as well as with GRAMMY-nominated and GRAMMY-winning artists at a range of programs during GRAMMY Week."

The selected students will perform at various GRAMMY Week events including - for the fourth year- an appearance at GRAMMY In The Schools Live! - A Celebration Of Music & Education, sponsored by Ford Motor Company Fund and the Starkey Hearing Foundation. This special evening, which is open to the public, will showcase the selectees, along with student alumni from GRAMMY Camp and GRAMMY Signature Schools, with special guest artists on Feb. 6, 2013, at USC. The group will offer another public performance at Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment with a special guest artist on Feb. 7. GRAMMY Camp - Jazz Session members will also will attend the 55th Annual GRAMMY Awards on Feb. 10 as guests of The Recording Academy and will perform at the GRAMMY Celebration after-party.