I have been selected for GRAMMY Camp Los Angeles and GRAMMY Camp New York in the Engineering for Audio & Video track! It’s incredible. It is such an honor and a blessing to be given this opportunity.
At GRAMMY Camp, I will be learning more about the music industry, and I will have the chance to learn from top industry professionals. The Los Angeles session will last for ten days, and New York for eight.
Check out the official press release for more info:
http://www.grammy.org/recording-academy/press-release/jun-12-2012-257-pm
I have worked extremely hard for this for years, but none of it would have been possible without the people who have supported, encouraged, and believed in me along the way, so I’m going to take a few moments to say thank you. I can’t possibly name all the many people who have helped me get this far, but there are a few that I would especially like to thank.
First off, I would like to thank the GRAMMY foundation for giving me this amazing opportunity. This means so much to me, and I am so grateful that you have created this program and that you invited me to come. This is such a dream and an honor. Thank you so much!
I also need to thank my family, and especially my parents, my brother, and my grandparents: For supporting me and believing in me and putting up with all the long hours I have listened in front of the monitors keeping you awake with my music, for telling me that I could do things even when I didn’t think I could, for your prayers, and just for being there. Thank you! I love you guys.
Camp Electric: Everyone who has been involved in running CE in some capacity––this wouldn’t have happened without you. Coming to CE that first year back in 2008 was what got me started down this path and has forever changed my life for the better. I really don’t know where I would be if it weren’t for CE. Thank you for all that you do!
Tony Hooper: You are the reason I got started in audio engineering and producing in the first place; this never would have happened without your advice that first year of Camp Electric. I am so grateful that, over these last few years, you have taken the time to talk with me at camp and share your experiences with all of us. I’m sure none of this would’ve happened without you. Your advice and your classes every year have been such a blessing to me. Thank you!
Dave Wyatt: For all the critiquing and advice that you have given me about my music at Camp Electric every year and for your encouragement, too. I am so blessed to have had the chance to learn from you and to get to know you. Thank you for coming to Camp Electric every year and teaching keys and sharing with us some of the many things that you know!
Cory and Damani from the MRC: I don’t know where I would be if it weren’t for those lessons you gave me in audio engineering several years ago. What you taught me not only got me off the ground, but even now, I still think back to what I learned from you. I would never have been able to go to GRAMMY Camp if it weren’t for you all. Thank you!
Kay B.: for putting up with a fourteen-year-old in your Theory 111 and 112 classes back in the day and for continuing to teach me and give me so many opportunities. I am so grateful to be your student. Thank you!
Emily R.: For helping me get back into piano lessons in the first place and for all the encouragement and advice you gave me, and for teaching me. Thank you for everything!
Lily G.: What can I say? It was one of your songs that helped me get in! No, but seriously, you are an amazing friend and such a blessing to me. I am so grateful that God has put you in my life. Your support and encouragement means so much to me, and you have helped me get through the hard times and make it to this point. Thank you so much! I love you.
Peter L. (and A.I.R.): I’m so glad that Electra introduced me to you this last summer at CE. 😉 You are an awesome friend, and your music inspires me. You have been there for me this past year, and you also encouraged me to audition for GRAMMY Camp. Oh, and when you came and recorded at Xenith and then let me mix your song, you really gave me hope that it is possible to make a good mix in one day. Anyway, I’m blessed to count you as one of my friends. Thanks, and rock on!
Rachel W.: You’re family to me. I’m grateful that we have grown up together and for all the prayers and support you have given me over the last thirteen (or how ever many) years. Thank you!
Cody S.: you are a great friend––even if you only call me at 1 or 2 o’clock in the morning. But really, I’m so grateful to have had your friendship, prayers, and encouragement over the past couple years. Thank you for being there and answering the phone at any hour!
Andrew C. and your family: Thank you for helping remind me I’m just a human. But Andrew, let’s stay away from that mud hole and be more careful about the frog next time! No, but seriously, thanks for being there for me all these years.
Holly and Jay: For staying out of trouble long enough to get to know me and cheer me on this year. 😉 This year was a difficult one, but always knowing I could sit down and talk with you meant so much to me. Thanks for your encouragement and support!
Aripra: You’re probably one of my biggest fans. I love you, too. Thanks for all your support!
Paul W.: You know, you’re still kind of an enigma, and sometimes I really don’t understand you. But the great thing is, it’s mutual! You have been a true friend to me, and I’m blessed to have gotten to know you. Thanks for being there!
All my other CE friends: You are amazing. Thanks for your support!
My church family: I love you all. Thanks for your prayers and support and all the encouragement you have given me. And thanks for letting Ignite happen! You are such a blessing to me. Thanks for everything.
Ignite: Thanks for being awesome.
Tom and Beth P.: For letting me join the worship team back when I was thirteen and really didn’t know what I was doing. Thank you for being brave enough to have faith!
All of my other friends and family members that I don’t have room to list and everyone else who has given me words of encouragement and believed in me along the way: Thank you!
Last, but definitely not least, God: I wouldn’t even exist without You. You have done more for me than I may ever know in this life. I am amazed by Your love and so grateful that You’re always here and have given me the grace to make it this far. Thank You for using me and giving me these gifts––It’s really all about You.