Celebrities Choose Musicians Institute Alumni!

Musicians Institute Alumni Chosen to Work with Pharrell, CeeLo & Other Top Music Stars

March 26, 2014 – Hollywood, CA – Musicians Institute (MI), Hollywood's college of contemporary music, has become a major source of new talent for some of the hottest hitmakers of today, including Grammy Award-winning stars Pharrell Williams, CeeLo Green and many others. From graduates of the music school's performing arts programs for guitar and drums, to former students in Audio Engineering courses - and even faculty instructors who teach singing lessons - MI has continued to be a hotbed of activity behind the biggest movers and shakers in the music industry.

Most recently, MI Audio Engineering alumni Reuben Cohen mastered the recording of Pharrell Williams' Oscar-nominated hit "Happy," which is ruling the Internet and the airwaves, while hitting #1 on numerous Billboard charts. Meanwhile, MI Guitar Program graduate Sojung Lee landed a gig performing with CeeLo Green after attending an MI Audition at the school. Lee debuted on stage with Green this February, and continues to tour with the superstar singer-rapper.

MI's many successful alumni also include talented musicians such as Fabian Egger, who is currently touring as the music director and drummer for G.O.O.D. Music/Def Jam artist Big Sean; and guitarist JinJoo Lee, who has been playing with platinum-selling American Idol winner Jordin Sparks, as well as Joe Jonas of The Jonas Brothers. Some other MI success stories have included Chris Wrate, guitarist/musical director for Ariana Grande; David Myers, drummer for Frank Ocean; Gaby Moreno, Latin Grammy winner for Best New Artist; and Nikki Grant, drummer for Street Drum Corps and who also has performed with 30 Seconds To Mars and Katy Perry.

These successful alumni are guided into their careers by MI’s world-renowned faculty, who share their real-world professional experience to help students get connected to the music industry. For example, singer-songwriter and MI Independent Artist Program instructor Gisa Vatcky is featured on Sheila E.'s new single, "Mona Lisa." Vatcky has previously worked with Aretha Franklin, Placido Domingo, Josh Groban, Enrique Iglesias and many others.

"Our school's mission is to provide a comprehensive, innovative and artistic educational experience across a variety of programs," said Jessica R. Sullivan, Director of Marketing at Musicians Institute. "And our Hollywood location makes MI the perfect source for talent in the heart of the music industry. We’re so proud of these alumni who have made the best of their music education here—from performers on guitar, bass, drums, keyboards and vocals, to alumni of our Music Business, Guitar Craft Academy and Bachelors and Associate Degree programs."

PHARRELL WILLIAMS TO PERFORM ON THE OSCARS®

BEVERLY HILLS, CA — Singer-songwriter-producer Pharrell Williams will perform his Oscar®-nominated song “Happy” at the Oscars®, show producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron announced today. The Oscars, hosted by Ellen DeGeneres, will air on Sunday, March 2, live on ABC.

“Happy,” which Williams wrote and produced for “Despicable Me 2,” is nominated for Original Song. The three other nominated songs are "Ordinary Love" from "Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom," "Let It Go" from "Frozen" and "The Moon Song" from "Her."

Pharrell Williams has won seven Grammy Awards®, two (in 2004 and 2014) for Producer of the Year. Named Billboard’s Producer of the Decade in 2010, his productions have sold over 100 million copies. Williams collaborated on two of 2013’s most ubiquitous anthems: Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines” which he co-wrote and produced and Daft Punk’s “Get Lucky,” which he co-wrote and also sang.  As a solo producer and as part of the prolific producing team The Neptunes, Williams has played a key role in creating a string of hits over more than two decades, including Jay-Z’s "I Just Wanna Love U (Give it 2 Me)," Nelly’s "Hot in Herre," Gwen Stefani’s "Hollaback Girl," Snoop Dogg’s "Drop it Like it's Hot," Britney Spears’ “I’m A Slave 4 U” and Justin Timberlake’s “Like I Love You.”

Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2013 will be presented on Oscar Sunday, March 2, 2014, at the Dolby Theatre® at Hollywood & Highland Center® and televised live on the ABC Television Network. The Oscars, produced by Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, also will be televised live in more than 225 countries and territories worldwide.

SOURCE Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences