And these are just young musicians.

Los Gatos students Nick Ulleseit, Jonathan Gelber, Jayinee Basu, Dan Kent and Taylor Baxley flew to Los Angeles for the day to visit Capitol Records. Their June 8 flight arrived in Southern California at 7:30 a.m. and the teens were whisked off to the studio by limo. They toured the facility and met with top Capitol Records executives, getting tips about how to make themselves more marketable and successful.

Plus, they got to promote their own music.

"I brought about 70 demo tapes and gave 15 to workers at Capitol Records," said Ulleseit, a recent graduate. At one point during the meeting, the executives even listened--and seemed to like--Ulleseit's music, he said.

The opportunity developed after Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Chief Scott Seaman and other officials met with Assemblywoman Rebecca Cohn to discuss how to create an opportunity for teens to pursue their passion for music, said Mike Loya, teen coordinator for Los Gatos-Saratoga Community Education and Recreation. After brainstorming, Loya said Cohn suggested a one-day trip for five Los Gatos teens to tour Capitol Records, where such musicians as the Beatles and Frank Sinatra recorded their music.

Within a month of the first meeting, the trip was arranged. The students, handpicked by organizers, were chosen because of their commitment to Los Gatos' music community, as well as to the "Alive ... And Loving Life" initiative.

"Alive ... And Loving Life" was created in 2003 by community members after a car accident that killed high school student Eric Queseda in 2003, left another student seriously injured and landed the driver of the car in Juvenile Hall for driving under the influence of alcohol.

Loya, who chaperoned the trip to Hollywood, said the students chosen are also active in the teen center, called The Venue.

"It's getting them off the streets, getting them off the hills and getting them out of the Jack in the Box driveway. The goal is for it to become almost like a teen nightclub, without the alcohol and smoking," said Loya, also the program director for the teen center.

The Venue is currently having a summer music series, which Taylor, a senior at Los Gatos High, helps organize.

Taylor said she was not surprised that she and the other students were chosen to go to Hollywood.

"I could have named all five people who were going to go because we are so active in the music community here," she said.

Jonathan, a Los Gatos High student who helps promote the teen music series, plays drums and guitar in the band "The New Red." Jayinee, also a student at Los Gatos High, plays guitar and sings in the band "Kreugenpansen's Tea Party." Kent, who will attend UCLA in the fall, co-founded the Guitar and Bass Club at Los Gatos High.

The students realize what a special opportunity they had, and plan on using what they learned.

"In the future, I want to own my own record company," Taylor said.

Meanwhile, Ulleseit, a recent graduate of the NOVA Alternative School, is also moving ahead. He and members from the band 7 Leaves recently opened a recording studio in Los Gatos, where they produce their own music.

A budding rapper and producer, Ulleseit said he walked away from the Hollywood trip with a valuable lesson.

"The vice president of Artists and Repertoire said, 'Your music is great, but the best way to become successful is to stand out and be different. There are thousands of people trying to do the same thing as you are,' " Ulleseit said.