Two graduates of the Conservatory of Recording Arts & Sciences, Sam Holland and Justin Merrill, won 2016 Grammy Awards for their engineering work on two high profile album projects.
Gilbert, AZ (April 7, 2016)—Two graduates of the Conservatory of Recording Arts & Sciences, Sam Holland and Justin Merrill, won 2016 Grammy Awards for their engineering work on two high profile album projects.
Holland was acknowledged for his work as recording engineer on Album of the Year for Taylor Swift’s 1989. Merrill’s award was for Best Engineered Album, Classical for Ask Your Mama by George Manahan & San Francisco Ballet Orchestra.
In addition, 13 graduates received credit for their work on 17 Grammy-winning categories. Overall, 38 CRAS graduates worked on numerous 2016 Grammy-nominated albums and songs across 36 categories.
“Our graduates had a tremendous night,” said Kirt Hamm, CRAS administrator. “We could not be any more proud of everyone that won and who were nominated. We are all like family here at The Conservatory, all striving for the same goals. All of the winners and nominees serve as an inspiration to all of our current students and past graduates. If you work hard, success is in the cards.”
Merrill reported that going to the Grammy celebration in itself was an amazing experience, and that CRAS gave him a good running start into the music industry and great real world knowledge and skills. “Seeing the production, performers, and nostalgia [at The Grammy Awards] that goes along with this musical tradition is inspiring,” said Merrill. “It was definitely a wave of emotions throughout the night…from being excited to anxious to ecstatic after the announcement and then just on a whole other level after that. It was a very special and meaningful night that I got to share with some amazing artists, engineers, and producers. I will never forget it.”
