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10. Alicia Keys

The talented singer-songwriter grew up in the Hell’s Kitchen area of Manhattan. Alicia attended various music and dance classes and studied classical piano from age seven. Keys enrolled in the Professional Performing Arts School at the age of 12, where she majored in choir and began writing songs at 14. Ms. Keys graduated in 1997 as valedictorian of her class. Keys signed to Columbia Records soon after and at the same time she was accepted into Columbia University. Alicia attempted to manage both, but after one month, she dropped out of college to pursue her musical career full-time.

celebrity valedictorians
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