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I don't know whether schooling would have helped me get farther along in music at this time. I doubt it would have.

You cannot help but notice that schools that take music seriously tend to be more academically successful.

I'm an advocate of music in schools. It's important to me that music is in as many schools as possible across this country and across the world. I think that it's a lost art form because kids aren't as exposed to it as maybe they used to be, or should be. I was exposed heavily to jazz and that's why I love it.

A big part of my life is music education because it changed my life - but arts, academics and athletics should all be equally treated in the school.

Fine arts education in public schools is really abysmal. The same emphasis should be put on music, theater, dance - anything creative - that's put on math and science.

Lucky enough, through the public school system, I had been able to have some music education, and that gave me something to focus on, and discipline - like a family to feel part of. There was a healthy family.

I went to public school my whole life. It was a performing arts school, so I can't say if it was a typical experience or not, because it's all I know.

I went to the public schools myself. And they were great for me.

Going to college was never an option. I was passionate about music, but how much talent I actually had was another matter.

I wouldn't be where I am today without the amazing public arts education that I had.