Getting to work with celebrity musicians and coaches like Adam Levine, Christina Aguilera, CeeLo Green and Blake Shelton on season three of “The Voice” was a once in a lifetime experience for musician and Glenbrook North alumnus Todd Kessler (‘00).

Kessler was a member of singer-songwriter Green’s team during season three of  “The Voice.”

There are four stages of the show: blind auditions, battle rounds, knockouts and live performance shows. The decisions during the blind auditions are based solely off of voice and not on looks. The artist joins the team of the coach whose chair turns around.

As Kessler sang facing the backs of the judges’ chairs during his first performance, Kessler said he had no idea that the chair of Green had turned around, accepting him to his team. When Kessler turned back, he said he let out a huge sigh of relief, thankful to make it through the blind auditions.

Kessler made it to the battle rounds and was then eliminated.

“I went into it just kinda living every second that I could,” said Kessler. “I didn’t go in focusing and obsessing on being the winner because I just wanted to experience it and live it.”

Kessler said he would have loved to have gone further, but he is still grateful for the experience.

Initially, Kessler said he never wanted to audition for “The Voice” because he thought it was “just a karaoke competition”. But, he said he found that real musicians, who play instruments and write songs, performed on the show.

This was the second time Kessler tried out for “The Voice.” The first time he tried out, he did not make it through the audition round in Chicago. He decided that being a contestant on the show was something he wanted to pursue, so he dedicated the next year to prepare for another round of auditions.

“It was validating to have made it after not having made it the year before,” he said.

Kessler’s biggest fear was not being able to stand out to the judges.

“You just have to take that nervous energy and harness it for good,” said Kessler. “Use it, embrace it.”

He remembers his favorite memories from the show when he was able to forget the stressful competition. He remembers the late nights on set and goofing off with his teammates.

“Really the best part was meeting the people on my team,” Kessler said.

Kessler said he formed friendships with artists from all over the country that he can call when he needs a place to crash or a partner for a gig.

As an alumnus, Kessler said the music department was always supportive and made the arts accessible to any student. The foundation he formed through his experiences in high school helped him to become successful in the music world.

He was in choir during his high school career. He was in Express for two years and was a part of Ow! as a senior.

Kessler said music has remained a large part of his life since high school. He  travels all over the midwest with his band, The New Folk. With the band, Kessler sings covers of songs and his own original music.

“[The band is] kinda like a family that you’re not related to,” said Kessler. “So you unconditionally love each other but you can yell at each other at the same time.”

Kessler said he finds inspiration for his songs in all aspects of life.

“[Ideas] can happen driving to work, trying to sleep or in the shower,” said Kessler. “Literally anytime. I can be awoken from a deep sleep with an idea.”

Chad Davidson, Instructional Supervisor for Fine Arts, asked Kessler to return to GBN as a guitar teacher.

Davidson said they decided to hire Kessler because he understands the community and the students and he is also a skilled musician.

“I also think he has a great way of relating to the kids,” said Davidson. “He’s a little younger, he brings a little bit of the cool factor.”

Junior Emily Schwandner is one of Kessler’s students. She said she likes working with him because of his media experiences. She said she already feels like she has a basic understanding of guitar after just two lessons.

“It is an awesome experience [to work with him]” Schwandner said.  “It is great to know someone who went to GBN and was on television. It’s just really cool to see how someone from right here at GBN can go and do that.”

Kessler is thankful for the experiences he had, the people he met and the doors “The Voice” has opened for him.

“I’ll always have those memories with me,” said Kessler. “I’ll always have those experiences with me. I’ll always have those friends.”