UB Music Students Work with GRAMMY-Nominated Producers

One Nation, Many Journeys: UB Students Work with Grammy-nominated Producers to Bring a Commencement Tradition to the National Stage

When Lila Pytel left her middle school classroom at noon on a chilly Tuesday to drive straight to Platinum Room Recorders in Bridgeport, she knew she was stepping into something big. By 1 p.m., the graduate Music Education student was standing behind a microphone with her peers, a Grammy-nominated producer on the other side of the glass, and a University of Bridgeport trustee watching proudly from the corner.

Around her, students rehearsed harmonies, faculty coordinated take after take, and sound engineers adjusted levels in real time. “It’s organized chaos in the best way,” Lila laughed. “I’m with people I love, doing something that matters — and learning so much.”

That “organized chaos” is the heartbeat of Kemet: One Nation, Many Journeys, a national public service announcement (PSA) created by UB Trustee Joe Young. The PSA, which centers on themes of immigration, belonging, and the diversity that has built the United States, features a vocal arrangement created several years ago by UB faculty and students for the University’s commencement ceremonies. Lila and her peers re-recorded the mash-up of Lift Every Voice and Sing and The Star-Spangled Banner in a professional recording studio just a half mile from UB’s campus.

What began as a student-led performance on a UB stage has grown into a powerful national message, with UB students at its center.

A song born in Bridgeport

The anthem at the heart of this PSA was created by a small group of UB choir students working with former Music department chair Dr. Mya Scarlato. Tasked with preparing the National Anthem for commencement, the students wanted to acknowledge the diverse stories that represent the UB student body.

“We didn’t want to stand up there with just the traditional national anthem,” Lila recalled. “Not at a school as diverse as UB. We wanted something that represented everybody.”

The students blended The Star-Spangled Banner with Lift Every Voice and Sing to create a new arrangement. Every harmony, transition, and phrase was shaped through student collaboration. “It was truly student-led,” Lila said. “We all worked together. Dr. Scarlato let us decide what felt right.” When they performed the mash-up at commencement in 2022, it became an instant community tradition.

One person in particular never forgot it.

The moment that stayed with a Trustee

As Vice Chair of UB’s Board of Trustees, Joe Young has witnessed many UB commencement ceremonies, but the first time he heard UB students perform the mash-up, he says, something shifted.

“A miracle happened,” Joe said. “It just touched me. I told myself one day I am going to work with UB and the Music department on that song.” Years later, while developing a PSA centered on immigration and unity through his educational character, Kemet the Time Traveler, that moment has resurfaced.

In recent months, immigration has dominated national headlines, often through negative narratives. Joe wanted to bring truth and positivity into the conversation, and he needed a piece of music powerful enough to speak to the heart of his message.

“I had to reach out to University of Bridgeport,” he said. “These students are talented, positive, and hardworking. And they created something meaningful. They were the perfect choice.”

Within weeks, the project took off. The National Park Service granted rare permission to film at the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. A 30-person crew traveled from Connecticut, New York, and Los Angeles. Joe called on his longtime friend, Curtis Richardson, a Grammy-nominated songwriter and producer whose credits include Jennifer Lopez, LL Cool J, Rihanna, David Guetta, Tiësto, John Legend, and BTS.

Would Curtis be willing to work with UB students?

“I think he loved the immigration piece,” Joe said, “But I think he was even more excited to work with students.”

A Grammy-nominated mentor in the room

Walking into a studio session with Curtis Richardson is a rare opportunity for young musicians. For UB students, the experience felt both surreal and energizing.

“It’s been fun, and honestly, kind of nostalgic,” Curtis said. “It takes me back to my college choir days. And this generation is so focused, so enthusiastic. They’ve been amazing to work with.”

For many students, including Lila, it was their first time in a professional recording studio. In one corner, Curtis coached vocal delivery. In another, UB faculty members Dr. Justin Caithaml and Dr. Russell Fisher adjusted parts, offered feedback, or encouraged students to take risks with their sound.

“Students are getting real-time vocal coaching from a Grammy-nominated producer — in Bridgeport — just minutes from campus,” said Dr. Caithaml, chair of the Music department. “This is the kind of hands-on, immersive experience we want them to have.”

Alongside the UB student ensemble, the recording also features lead vocals by Cruz Pacheco aka Cruz Angel, the 2024 adult winner of Amateur Night at the Apollo. Pacheco, whose powerful voice and storytelling presence have earned him national attention, added a soaring vocal line that threads through the arrangement.

A flexible program, designed to meet students where they are

Dr. Caithaml, a music educator and researcher whose work focuses on gender and sexuality inclusion in music education, sees the PSA project as a perfect reflection of UB’s Music program. “What I appreciate most about UB is that we can meet individual student needs,” they said. “We design programs around each student. If a student wants specialized work on an instrument or exposure to the music business or performance, we make it happen.”

UB’s undergraduate program allows students to specialize in Music Education, Business, or Performance, and encourages interdisciplinary exploration. The graduate program, particularly the certification pathway and the Connecticut DSAP (Durational Shortage Area Permit), helps prepare music educators in flexible, accessible ways.

“Our students are diverse in their backgrounds, their stories, and their aspirations,” Dr. Caithaml said. “Our job is to prepare them to be the educators and musicians our communities need.”

A national message rooted in UB values

The PSA blends live-action footage filmed at the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island with animation from Prayan Animation Studio in India, all anchored by the voices of UB students. The PSA premiered on broadcast and social media platforms on December 10.

The campaign’s message, One Nation, Many Journeys, reflects the voices behind it.

“Immigration is such a massive topic right now,” Lila said. “This song is the spirit of America and the spirit of each individual story. It brings everything together.”

For Robenia McKinley, senior producer at Joe Young Entertainment and an educator herself, seeing UB students take part in this project feels like a culmination. “To me, this is history-making,” she said. “This project shows that everyone has something to contribute. And these students understand that.”

On the right track

Standing in the studio as students completed their final takes, Joe Young paused to reflect on what the moment meant to him. “To me, today means I’m on the right track,” he said. “All roads lead back to young people. Giving them a platform to grow, to learn, and to lead. That’s what matters.”

He hopes this collaboration is only the beginning.

“I may need to set up a studio on campus,” he laughed. “Whatever I can do to work with students again, introduce them to people in the industry, or support their dreams, I’m here for it.”

As for the students, the experience has already changed how they see themselves.

“It’s been amazing,” Lila said. “To start something as a UB undergraduate student and then help bring it to a national audience as a graduate student is something I’ll never forget.”

A song born in a UB choir rehearsal, shaped by UB students, and performed at commencement, will now reach viewers across the country. At the center of it are values that define University of Bridgeport: inclusion, creativity, mentorship, and opportunity.

One Nation, many journeys. For these students, their journey is just beginning.

Watch the Kemet: One Nation, Many Journeys PSA and hear the UB student arrangement that inspired a national message.