Singer, instrumentalist, songwriter and Atlantic Records Nashville recording artist Hunter Hayes has been making music since he was a toddler performing with artists including Hank Williams Jr., Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash and Charlie Daniels.

Now the 20-year-old country entertainer has teamed up with Labels for Education, Safeway and the Grammy Foundation to encourage middle school students to make music part of their lives as well. Hunter made an appearance at Corpus Christi School in Piedmont, Calif., on Monday (May 7), performing for seventh- and eighth-grade students. After the performance, Hunter spoke with the students about his experiences in the music industry, and helped present a check for $100,000 in "bonus points" to the school.

Hunter will open shows on Carrie's Underwood's Blown Away Tour beginning in September.