Azusa Pacific University music students rehearse their part in the Super Bowl LX commercial for "The Voice" at Universal Studios in September. The choir appeared with Kelly Clarkson, John Legend and Adam Levine in the ad. (Photo courtesy APU Music)
Azusa Pacific University music students rehearse their part in the Super Bowl LX commercial for “The Voice” at Universal Studios in September. The choir appeared with Kelly Clarkson, John Legend and Adam Levine in the ad. (Photo courtesy APU Music)
The Super Bowl LX journey of 25 Azusa Pacific University (APU) music students kicked off four months before the Seahawks, Patriots and even Bad Bunny took to the football field for the Big Game.
Before that, Arturo Cabrera, APU’s music operations manager, remembers answering a phone call from a Burbank production company asking students to participate in a video promo for NBC’s “The Voice,” starring alongside celebrity judges Kelly Clarkson, John Legend and Adam Levine.
“I quickly shared the news with our director of choral activities, Michelle Jensen, and APU music chair John Burdett and they both agreed that this was an opportunity that we had to say to for our students,” Cabrera said.
One week later, on Sept. 29, 2025, the music students reported to NBC Universal Studios Lot 45 in Universal City and spent about nine hours filming the 30-second commercial, which premiered during the Super Bowl on Feb. 8.
APU students sang Queen’s “We Are the Champions,” to promote “The Voice’s” Season 29 “Battle of the Champions,” first appearing in dark robes and standing in risers behind a gowned Clarkson. The commercial will air until the show’s new season premiers on Feb. 23.
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Azusa Pacific University pose outside the Universal Studios lot where they filmed a commercial for the NBC show “The Voice” in September 2025. The commercial first aired during Super Bowl LX on Feb. 8 and featured the students with Kelly Clarkson, John Legend and Adam Levine. (Photo courtesy APU Music)
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“Opportunities like these showcase the caliber of our music students and underscore the significance of our close proximity to Los Angeles, the entertainment capital of the world,” said Jensen, director of choral activities. “APU music students gain invaluable experience working alongside industry professionals (and even legends!) preparing them for professional careers upon graduation.”
The offer was based off recommendations from APU alumni working with the singing competition and employees from Moving Parts Inc., the production company, Cabrera added.
Student Mark D’Leon said a highlight was talking to the crew, writers and the celebrity judges.
“There’s so much that goes into a 30-second commercial we wouldn’t know about unless we’re a part of it,” he said. “Seeing the smiles, the minds, and the talent behind all of it was a gentle reminder of how much of what we do in the arts is about collaboration and human artistry from the make-up, to set design, to the editing, and the music that goes into the process.”
Being part of one of the entertainment industry’s biggest moments came with one special memory for students Melody Hake.
When Maroon 5 lead singer Adam Levine started strumming his guitar on stage, Hake said she started singing the hymn “I’ll Fly Away.”
“It was the same chord progression that he was playing and pretty soon the whole choir was singing and clapping along,” she said. “The whole experience was so fun.”
Keeping their star turn low-key for months couldn’t have been easy, but seeing the final product on Super Bowl Sunday was worth it. And aside from craft service meals, the students did get paid for their time, which was eligible toward their SAG/AFTRA membership.
Student Ben Tran said he will remember his time on a professional set for the appreciation he took away “for how much work, coordination, and communication happens behind the scenes to create what audiences see on screen,” he said. “From production crews to directors to talent, every moving part had to operate with excellence and precision.”