R+B star Macy Gray is set to go back to school after funding a new music academy in North Hollywood, Los Angeles.

The M Gray Academy will open for business on 31 October (05), but the I TRY singer will attend a special opening ceremony a week early this Sunday (23OCT05).

Academy classes will include recording techniques and voice and drum lessons, while Gray hopes to help exceptional students make it big in the industry.

She says, "Music education is a tool to expose its students to beauty, confidence and self-expression. It serves to cultivate imagination, individuality and excellence. It teaches collaboration and co-operation."