A dream for many, working with the best in the music business became a reality for 39 local high school students on Saturday, December 5, at Best Buy GRAMMY Camp® – Weekend, powered by Chicago City of Learning, held on DePaul University’s Loop Campus. Side-by-side with GRAMMY Foundation® professionals whose clientele include artists like Beyonce’, Jason Mraz, Jay Z, Madonna, Pink, and Usher, the teens developed industry skills while taking advantage of this rare opportunity to receive free, expert training in Songwriting, Electronic Music Production or Video Production.

“It’s a great experience that could change your life – and your future,” said 12^th grader Joelle Israelof Rogers Park, who attended Chicago’s premier camp last year, earned a full scholarship to GRAMMY Foundation’s weeklong, residential camp in Los Angeles over the summer, and returned to Chicago’s second camp to absorb more tips of the trade.

Applicants came from high schools citywide, as well as after school programs, such as those offered by the Best Buy Teen Tech Center at Little Black Pearl Art and Design Academy and other Chicago City of Learning partner organizations like Donda’s House, GlobalGirl Media, Beyond the Bell, McGaw YMCA, After School Matters, Chicago Urban League, IMPACT Family Center, Metropolitan Family Services and UCAN’s FamilyWorks.

Professional participants who flew in from Miami and Los Angeles included: Greg “Stryke” Chin, recording artist, producer, author, music technologist, GRAMMY Foundation® Board member, and electronic music production faculty member; Abby Linne, cinematographer, operator, music photographer, and video production faculty member; and Christopher Sampson, vice dean, professor of songwriting, and founding director of the popular music program at the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music.

“You will be challenged today, and I look forward to seeing how you meet and overcome those obstacles,” Sampson told attendees upon their arrival. “Our goal is to create a spark in you that will last days and years to come.”

Eight hours later, during the camp closing, students like Alejandra Ibanez, a 10^th grader from Garfield Ridge, confirmed his prediction. “I tried something new today and learned from it,” she said. “It was hard, but very fun. I feel inspired to follow my dreams and never give up.”

Not only did participants leave with a greater sense of how they can develop a strategy that will increase their chances at having a successful career in music, but they also earned a digital badge, which shows the skills they achieved and is stored at ChicagoCityofLearning.org in portfolios that can be shared with teachers, college admissions officers or prospective employers.

Dr. Nichole Pinkard, founder of the Digital Youth Network at DePaul University, which coordinates Chicago City of Learning (CCOL), thanked Best Buy and GRAMMY Foundation for their partnership. “This free opportunity puts young Chicagoans interested in the music business on a pathway toward their ideal career. That’s what CCOL is all about.”

While the GRAMMY Foundation influences the lives of young people by opening the windows of opportunity that music can provide for their futures, Best Buy’s Teen Tech Centers are all about showing youth of today the wonders of technology. Chicago City of Learning (CCOL), of which Best Buy is the lead corporate sponsor, joins together learning opportunities for young people in a way that allows them to think about, pursue, and develop their interests, leading to what they can ultimately become.

The participants of this camp will have the chance to apply for a full scholarship to the summer residential GRAMMY Camp program. Anyone interested in an immersive music industry summer experience is encouraged to apply to GRAMMY Camp at www.grammyintheschools.com before the March 31, 2016 deadline.