Multi-Grammy winning artist, Alicia Keys, returned back to her roots at the Professional Performing Arts School in New York City last week.
In a special segment with CBS Mornings, Keys reflected on her musical journey and how the school helped with her rise to stardom.
The singer, who graduated as class valedictorian, shared, “I’ve always been pretty social. I’m definitely a troublemaker,” she laughed. “Like in the sense of like, I test people and I like, challenge people. I was definitely challenging the teachers for sure.”
During the visit, Keys reunited with former music teacher, Linda Aziza Miller, who she credits for teaching her how to arrange music.
“She taught me so much about how to arrange music, how to arrange a song. Those are the things that I took, and I put into the music,” the global superstar said, CBS reports.
Key’s paid homage to Aziza through her Broadway production “Hell’s Kitchen,” where a character named Ms. Liza Jane is inspired by both Keys’ grandmother and Ms. Aziza.
Also in the special, reflecting on her early musical experiences, Keys recalled signing her first record deal and the debut album she released at 20, which won five Grammy’s that included “Song of the Year” for her hit “Fallin.’
“I want you to always be yourself,”
Keys having accumulated a decorated career, shared advice with students in a theater class.
“I want you to always be yourself,” she said. “I want you to never forget that the more unique you are, the more you stand out.”
She also joined the students for an impromptu performance of “This Girl Is on Fire.”