Guest Blog | Written by first-year Jazz Voice student Harrison Candelario
Have you ever wondered what it is like to attend the GRAMMY Awards? Whether you study classical or contemporary music, most musicians are familiar with the GRAMMYS, yet rarely consider the possibility of attending the ceremony itself—an event that seems out of reach due to the presence of celebrities and internationally renowned artists.
Associate Professor of Jazz Voice Sara Gazarek won her second GRAMMY in 2025.
This past January, I had the extraordinary honor of attending the 67th Annual GRAMMY Awards Ceremony and Telecast in Los Angeles, following an invitation to attend as an intern at the Recording Academy. The experience was nothing short of inspirational. It was truly remarkable to witness artists such as Samara Joy—who graduated with a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies from a conservatory in my region—take home two GRAMMY Awards this year. Additionally, I had the privilege of seeing my studio professor, Sara Gazarek, and her all-female vocal jazz group, säje, win their second GRAMMY for their song “Alma” (Best Arrangement, Instruments, and Vocals). I also observed my friend, Jamal Moore ’12E, perform “Oscar Winning Tears” live alongside GRAMMY-nominated jazz vocalist Raye.
Other highlights included witnessing performances by Herbie Hancock and Stevie Wonder, as well as a moving operatic trio performance by Reneé Fleming ’83E (MM), ’11 (Honorary) during the GRAMMY Awards Premiere Ceremony.
Candelario on the GRAMMYS red carpet.
The success of my peers, mentors, and friends in the music industry allowed me to envision the potential trajectory of my career in jazz and commercial music. From observing the performances of Eastman alumni to experiencing the star-studded GRAMMY Awards telecast and attending GRAMMY Awards and Recording Academy afterparties, it was an invaluable opportunity to engage with the music industry in a unique and profound manner.
I also want to acknowledge the attention to detail, care, and contributions of the Recording Academy’s MusiCares in support of Los Angeles fire relief efforts. By involving Los Angeles high school students and first responders in the telecast, the Recording Academy successfully brought international attention to the California wildfires—raising over $30 million to assist with fire relief—and hosted an incredibly engaged event, with a whopping 102.2 million Americans interacting with the GRAMMY Awards during the live show, and an additional .76 billion interactions on social media in the week following.
So, how can you become involved with the Recording Academy?
As mentioned, I attended the GRAMMY Awards as an intern through the Quinn Coleman Scholarship, a program designed to elevate the next generation of Black and Brown music creators and professionals. In my role as an intern, I assist with the organization and planning of Recording Academy events, help track initiatives related to equity and inclusion, and expand my professional network as a young musician, student, and artist.
A room with a view.
In addition to various scholarship and internship programs offered by the Academy, I highly recommend joining GRAMMY U. GRAMMY U is a national program sponsored by the Recording Academy that supports music students at colleges and universities by providing one-on-one mentorship in areas such as songwriting, production, music industry, music business, entertainment law, audio engineering, performance, tour management, and artist marketing. The program also offers opportunities to attend the GRAMMY Awards as a volunteer, network with fellow music students across the country, participate in meet-and-greet events with local artists, and engage in career-building workshops.