'American Idol' finalist Katharine McPhee knows how lucky she is. "I haven't even put out a record yet and I feel like I'm getting schooled by the best of the best," McPhee told AOL Music while attending Songs of Hope last month, a benefit night in L.A. featuring performances by Stevie Wonder and Gavin DeGraw.

For McPhee, who earlier in the week performed at the Carousel of Hope ball, it's all part of her education. "It's a great honor for me to perform on the same show as Usher and watch Stevie Wonder up close and personal," she said, adding that music mogul Clive Davis has been a great mentor.

Whatever happens down the line, it's already been a good experience, she says: "Who knows what the future will be for me exactly, but at least I can say I had some good teachers."