A STUDENT will be rubbing shoulders with the best in the pop world at the Grammy Awards this weekend after winning a global competition.

Jack Watkins, of Cherry Tree, Blackburn, scooped the Best Remixed Recording at the SAE (Sound/Audio Engineering) Institute Grammy Award Show Competition.

The 20-year-old is a music production student at audio engineering university SAE in Liverpool, one of 56 SAE institutes worldwide.

The former Feniscowles Primary and St Wilfrid’s High School pupil was one of three winners to scoop the coveted trip to Los Angeles.

Jack, whose ambition is to work in the music industry in London, said he was hoping to bump into Beyonce on his travels.

He said: “I did a remix for a young singer/songwriter in London called Lauren Aquilina and she featured it on her website as a free download.

“SAE did a competition for students so I entered it, but when they said I had won I couldn’t believe it.

“I am so excited to be flying out this morning. I would love to meet Beyonce.”

Jack, who flies out to LA this morning, started playing the piano when he was six and from there developed an interest in writing and producing music.

He has won tickets to all of the awards ceremony on Sunday and the official after-party.

Jack’s uncle Michael Calvert said: “All of the family are so proud of him.”

Campus manager at SAE Liverpool Darren Winwood said: “Myself and other lecturers listened to Jack’s remix and we think he has done a cracking job.”

The star-studded awards ceremony will see top artists such as Kelly Clarkson, Ed Sheeran, Adele, Katy Perry and Rihanna nominated in around 100 different awards categories. To hear the remixed song, Fools, and other examples of his work, visit Jack’s website at www.jackwatkinsmusic.com