When music lovers tune into the Grammy Awards this year, a bit of Virginia Commonwealth University may ring in their ears.

The Feb. 1 broadcast on CBS will focus on big-name performances in a small number of categories, but the Ram spirit will still be in the air, courtesy of Grammy veterans the Neave Trio and Gordy Haab.

The Neave Trio - made up of School of the Arts assistant professors Anna Williams (violin), Eri Nakamura (piano) and associated faculty member Mikhail Veselov (cello) - received its second Grammy nomination. Its latest album, "La Mer - French Piano Trios," is a finalist in the Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance category.

"It was a huge honor. There's a ton of amazing recordings out there every single year - and incredible musicians and wonderful colleagues," Veselov said. "To be recognized that way is really special."

For three years, the Neave Trio has been the ensemble-in-residence for the VCU School of the Arts Department of Music, which serves as a home base while allowing the ensemble to represent VCU while touring.

"When we go to local high schools or when we tour, we always share our experience at VCU and how it feels to be part of the community," Veselov said.

The education environment remains at the heart of the trio's commitment. Even though much of its time is spent on the road or making music, the trio teaches classes and studio lessons to students from all majors. The members also collaborate with faculty, performing in concerts alongside them.

The Neave Trio is no stranger to acclaim for its classical chamber work: It earned a Grammy nod for the 2022 album "Musical Remembrances." For the new nominee "La Mer," the trio aims to represent the visual connection between music and nature, with tracks invoking different colorways and visuals, Williams said. And such visual creativity is shared by the trio's fellow VCU nominee.

Haab, who earned his bachelor's degree in music composition from VCUarts in 2000, returns to the Grammy short list this year in the category of Best Score Soundtrack for Video Games and Other Interactive Media.

His composition for "Indiana Jones and The Great Circle" is Haab's second nomination in that category - and could be his second victory. He won the Grammy in 2024 for his work on "Star Wars Jedi: Survivor."

Haab recalled starting his video game music career with the 2009 title "Indiana Jones and the Staff of Kings." He said this year's nomination is a full-circle moment that validated his years in the industry.

"To be able to come back to the same franchise that launched my career in the first place felt really special," Haab said. "And then to get nominated for a Grammy for it, it really means everything."

Haab, who grew up in Mechanicsville, moved to Los Angeles after VCU to continue his studies at the University of Southern California. He continues to live and work from the West Cost, but he said VCU and Richmond remain an integral part of him. He even returned last year when VCUarts asked him to deliver its spring 2025 commencement address.

"I've just been nose to the grindstone for 25 years, since I left VCU," Haab said. "I saw it as such a great honor because it is an opportunity for me to share my story with people that are in the exact same position I was in 25 years ago and maybe inspire them in the way that I felt inspired at that time in my life to pursue something in the arts."