SAE Institute Allows Aspiring Musician to Shine at Annual Grammy Awards Celebration

NEW YORK, Feb. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- On Sunday, February 13, SAE Institute, the world's foremost audio engineering, animation, multimedia and film training institution, was pleased to provide Southern California inner-city high school student and aspiring music professional William Rhodes with VIP access to the music industry's most acclaimed event, the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards.  

The first national education sponsor of The Recording Academy's 2011 Professional Educational Initiatives, SAE provided Rhodes with an all-inclusive trip to the show where he rubbed elbows with the likes of Justin Bieber, Eminem, Katy Perry, Lady Antebellum, Rihanna, Drake, Christina Aguilera and more.  Rhodes was accompanied throughout the evening by noted SAE professor and past Grammy nominee, Frank "El Medico" Rodriguez.

The student recipient was discovered through SAE Institute's ongoing collaboration with the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus; both organizations of which are linked by their dedication to education and the support of creating sustainable opportunities for underprivileged youth.  Rhodes has proved to be a shining example of hard work and incredible talent, both as a member of the Kids Helping Kids program which teaches inner-city elementary kids how to play musical instruments; and a member of the school's jazz and marching bands.  His inspiration is to one day be an engineer or producer.

"I am so grateful to SAE for giving me this once-in-a-lifetime experience. I never thought at the age I'd be breathing the same air as some of my idols including Dr. Dre and Eminem. Throughout my life, music has shaped me into a more disciplined and creative person. It has given me opportunities like this that most people won't get to have in their entire lives. Without it, I wouldn't have been able to mature as a person as much as I have.  I hope my story of having won this experience inspires others to follow their creative passion and give back to the community like I have," commented Rhodes.

Frank "El Medico" Rodriguez, a hand chosen mentor from SAE Institute is the perfect role model for Rhodes, who was able to spend one on one time at a lunch with the industry legend to discuss his experience and insight.  In addition to having been nominated for two Latin Grammy's and one American Grammy himself, Frank has worked with top tier musical talent such as Flo-Rida.  As one of the best engineers in the field who has become know for his "golden touch" and hard work, he also boasts a long list of credentials including credits as the triple platinum producer for Daddy Yankee and Latin Grammy Award winner Juan Luis Guerra. 

"SAE Institute is proud to give back to a worthy student who deserves to be a part of one of music's most honored traditions and celebrated nights," commented Marco Bettelli, President of SAE USA. "This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and we are thrilled Rhodes had a memorable, learning experience to carry with him as he continues his educational journey. We couldn't be more excited being the Recording Academy's first education partner, and we hope to continue this program for many years to come."

2011 will be a big year for SAE Institute and the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus whose partnership will include initiatives with the Urban School Partnership, the Battle of the Bands, and the 2011 National Open House Tour.

About SAE Institute

Founded in Sydney Australia, 1976, SAE Institute has campuses in 54 cities across the globe and is a leading international provider of audio engineering, animation, multimedia and film production courses. By providing hands on tuition along with access to the very latest state-of-the-art equipment in a practical, real world setting, SAE ensures students' knowledge and skill levels are relevant to industry expectations. SAE currently has schools in New York City, Nashville, San Francisco, Miami, Atlanta and Los Angeles with plans to expand to several other US cities near term. Please visit www.sae-usa.com for more information on USA campuses.

The Recording Academy

Celebrating music through the GRAMMY Awards for more than 50 years, The Recording Academy continues its rich legacy and ongoing growth as the premier outlet for honoring achievements in the recording arts and supporting the music community. The GRAMMYs are the only peer-presented award to honor artistic achievement, technical proficiency and overall excellence in the recording industry, without regard to album sales or chart position. As we move ahead in an ever-changing music environment, The Recording Academy looks forward to the new opportunities of a growing organization.

About the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus (www.lennonbus.org)

The John Lennon Educational Tour Bus is a non-profit state-of-the-art mobile Pro Audio and HD video recording facility that provides hands-on experiences for students of all ages. In its 14th year of touring, the venture is proud of its fully professional bus and its studios, which boast the latest audio and video technology, gear and products. The concept began as an offshoot of the John Lennon Songwriting Contest, which is dedicated to providing opportunities for both professional and amateur songwriters around the world. The Bus travels across the U.S. and Canada year-round, providing free tours and workshops at schools, retailers, festivals, on tours with headlining artists, and at major industry conferences.

The Bus, a 501(c)(3) venture, is made possible through the generosity of sponsors including Apple, Avid, Mont Blanc, NAMM, SAE Institute, Gibson, Epiphone, Neutrik, Sony, Audio-Technica, Musician's Friend, Music Player Network, Sonicbids, Litepanels, Reflecmedia, Disc Makers, Mobile Roadie, Ampeg, Roland, Boss, Mackie, Digital Media Academy, Aphex Systems, Apogee, Manfrotto Distribution, iZotope, Glyph Technologies, Harris Corporation,  Applied Acoustics Systems, Antares, McDSP, IK Multimedia, Adobe, Native Instruments, Slingerland Drums, Noise Industries, and Mad Mimi.

The John Lennon Educational Tour Bus is made possible by an agreement with Yoko Ono Lennon.

SOURCE SAE Institute