Gwinnett County Public Schools music students nominated for Grammy Awards

GWINNETT COUNTY GA—Three former Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) students have been nominated for “Music’s Biggest Night,” formally known as the Grammy Awards. 

John Kadadu, Luc Bernadel, and Andrew Hitt all previously participated in the Grayson Technical Education Program at Grayson High School and were students of the music production program. The three students have each been nominated for their contributions to the following projects:

John Kadadu, Duluth High School, Class of 2014
Engineer – Nominated for artist “JID” – Best Rap Album

Luc Bernadel, Duluth High School, Class of 2019
Producer – Nominated for artist “FLO” – Best Progressive R&B Album

Andrew Hitt, Lanier High School, Class of 2020
Producer – Nominated for artist “FLO” – Best Progressive R&B Album

The students’ former instructor, Andre DeRamus, a two-time Grammy nominee, says the nominees were hard workers who never stopped striving for excellence.

 “Something I can say these students had in common was the hunger for more,” DeRamus shares. “Though they graduated in different years, these students were on time, very punctual with their assignments, took things seriously, and asked questions when they wanted to know something and further their knowledge.”

Producer Luc Bernadel says the opportunity to produce for R&B group FLO came from a music engineering internship at Raydar Studios in Atlanta. Bernadel shares that he always had confidence in his future music career.

 “Grayson Tech essentially showed me how anything is possible with enough time and hard work. I graduated in 2019, and truthfully, I always knew I could go far,” Bernadel shares.

 “But hands down, the most special thing about this nomination is that Andrew [Grammy Nominee listed above] and I did it together,” Bernadel continues. “We sat right next to one another in Music Tech class, and now we’re nominated together. Pretty surreal.”

Bernadel has also released his own music this year and plans to continue working on becoming a recording artist, with hopes of being nominated for a Grammy award himself.

DeRamus and the Grayson Tech team aim to set students up for success by giving them access to high-quality, professional equipment and real-world experiences. Students can explore their creativity by creating original songs and collaborating on original musical compositions using the latest software.

 “Many of my former students have gone on to work at respected studios and pursue careers across a variety of creative paths, not just commercial music,” DeRamus continues. “With access to state-of-the-art equipment and industry-standard resources, the program serves as a true pipeline for young creatives, helping them develop their artistic skills, build confidence, and prepare for future opportunities in the music and media industries.”

The Grammy Awards show is scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026.