Kevin Burke Gets Chance of a Lifetime at Music Industry's Biggest Night

Kevin Burke, a Garden City High School student who also studies music at the Long Island High School for the Arts (LIHSA), recently returned from an experience he'll soon not forget - a trip to the 54th annual GRAMMY Awards where he had the chance to interview stars like Tom Hanks, Jason Mraz, Foo Fighters, Wilco and more.

Burke, who's lived in the village for 11 years and studies jazz guitar, audio recording, music theory, ear training and music history at LIHSA, was one of 29 lucky students chosen from GRAMMY Camp to attend music industry's biggest night. Donned in a tuxedo, Burke put his video skills to the test.

Admittedly starstruck, Burke said he really wanted to meet the Foo Fighters but thought his chances were slim.

"Going into the program as a videographer, I didn’t think I’d come close to meeting them. Weeks before leaving for California, I found out I was to be on the red carpet with Cambio.com (Aol Music) interviewing people for the MusiCares Person of the Year gala honoring Paul McCartney and the GRAMMY Awards as well," he said.

"Not only did I interview members of Foo Fighters the Friday before at MusiCares, but I interviewed them all again at the GRAMMYs. The second time I interviewed them, they made fun of me asking if I’d get any of my sentences out before we started, because I was insanely starstruck the first time."

Burke, 16, first heard about the camp through a neighbor. While attending he studied production as well as video editing and graphic design.

"The experience was amazing. I had the pleasure of hanging out with some of the most talented musicians in the country who were the same age as me through documentation of the GRAMMY Camp - Jazz Session," he said. "While making a ton of new friends, I also learned a ton about video, audio, interviewing and the music industry."

The Garden City high school student has been playing piano since a small child and took up guitar and drums when he was just 9. He currently plays in a local pop punk band, No Good News, which is releasing a record and touring in the coming months.

For more information visit grammyintheschools.com or check out the “GRAMMY in the Schools” Facebook page.

This summer the GRAMMY Foundation will host GRAMMY camps in three locations: Los Angeles, New York City and Nashville. Application deadline is March 31; financial assistance is available. Applications are online at www.grammyintheschools.com.