Up and coming artists are being given the opportunity to be mentored by the likes of Kendrick Lamar and Grammy-winning jazz pianist Robert Glasper through a new initiative. Hyundai and The Recording Academy are teaming up to launch Amplifier Center Stage: A GRAMMY U Initiative.

Uniting Aspiring Musicians and Established Artists will act as a catalyst for artist development in the digital age through an online platform that allows hopeful artists to share their music via Soundcloud which is then vetted by a talented music panel. The program will run through the 56th Annual GRAMMY Awards season and winners will be announced at an official GRAMMY Week event.

“We are excited for The Recording Academy and GRAMMY U to partner with Hyundai for this initiative. With more than 5,000 students in 400 universities across the nation, GRAMMY U is becoming the fastest-growing level of membership within our organization,” said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy in a press release. “We are grateful to be able to help educate and encourage those students who aspire to be part of the music community, and we are looking forward to receiving and reviewing a vast collection of hopeful, talented participants with this year’s Amplifier Center Stage.”

For updates on GRAMMY events and other news check out The Recording Academy’s Twitter and Facebook. – Alley Olivier