An Arcadia teen will perform in front of some of music's biggest names at a series of Grammy week events. Mark Mekailian, who attends the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts, won one of 32 spots in the prestigious Grammy Camp-Jazz Session Program.
The program culls some of the best high school musicians from across the nation. Notable Grammy Camp alums include Horace Silver, James Moody, Cassandra Wilson and Sara Bareilles.
Mekailian and his counterparts will have a week-long 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.
The students will have two performances open to the public, the first on Feb. 6 at USC, and the other on Feb. 7 at Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment. They will also will attend the 55th Annual Grammy Awards on Feb. 10 at the Staples Center and perform at the official Grammy Celebration® after-party.
In addition to performing, the young musicians will record an album at Hollywood's legendary Capitol Studios.
Grammy Camp selectees are also eligible for more than $2 million in college scholarships made possible through the Grammy Foundation's college partners: Berklee College of Music, Manhattan School of Music, the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music and USC Thornton School of Music.
