Humber Polytechnic’s connection to the Grammy Awards continues to grow, with faculty and former students earning recognition at music’s highest level for their work across performance, production and emerging audio techniques.
Most recently, Humber music professor and alumnus, Justin Gray, won a Grammy Award for Best Immersive Audio Album, becoming the first Canadian to receive the honour in the category.
Gray is a full-time faculty member in Humber Music and a graduate of the Bachelor of Music program.
“This is a tremendously proud moment for the Faculty, for Humber Music, and for the entire Humber community,” said Guillermo Acosta, senior dean of the Faculty of Media, Creative Arts and Design. “His Grammy win is a powerful validation of the level of excellence, performance, and creative ambition that we strive to achieve across our learning community.”
Gray’s win adds to Humber’s growing list of Grammy-winning faculty and alumni, including drummer Larnell Lewis, a Humber professor and graduate who won a Grammy Award as a member of the jazz fusion band Snarky Puppy.
Lewis has also been nominated multiple times for his work as a performer and collaborator.
Acosta said having industry-active, award-winning faculty is central to Humber’s identity as a polytechnic institution.
“Learning from professionals who are actively working at the leading edge of their industries, and whose work is recognized at the highest level, makes a tangible difference for students,” he said. “It ensures that what happens in our classrooms, labs, and studios is directly connected to current industry practice and standards.”
Humber’s influence at the Grammys also extends beyond current faculty. Grammy-winning producer Greg Wells, who has worked with artists including Adele, Elton John and Katy Perry, attended Humber Polytechnic earlier in his career before establishing himself internationally.
While not a faculty member, Wells’ success reflects the broader reach of Humber-trained musicians across the music industry.
According to Acosta, faculty members who remain professionally active bring credibility and relevance into the classroom, giving students a clearer understanding of industry expectations.
“Students know that their professors are bringing real-world expertise, current knowledge, and lived professional experience into their teaching,” he said. “This exposure to industry best practices gives students a competitive edge when they demonstrate their skills and transition into professional environments.”
Humber’s facilities have also played a role in supporting award-winning work. Gray’s Grammy-winning album Immersed was recorded in the Humber Cultural Hub studios at the Lakeshore Campus, which were designed to support immersive and spatial audio production.
“Humber has invested in some of the best facilities and technologies in the Canadian postsecondary system,” Acosta said. “But facilities alone don’t create award-winning work. It’s the musicians, technicians, faculty, and students who bring those spaces to life, and this recognition reflects the excellence of that collective effort.”
Acosta said Humber’s leadership in emerging fields such as immersive and spatial audio reflects years of strategic planning and investment.
“Humber recognized early the importance of immersive and spatial audio and made strategic investments through the design of the Humber Cultural Hub,” he said. “This achievement positions Humber as a leader in an emerging field and validates years of thoughtful planning.”
For prospective students, Acosta said the recent Grammy recognition sends a clear message.
“This is a true ‘show, don’t tell’ moment for FMCAD,” he said. “It sends a powerful message about Humber’s leadership in this space and extends an open invitation to students to join a learning community with the people, spaces, and technology to create award-winning work on a global stage."
