Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett stun graduates with masterclass

Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett surprised a group of students in New York City by hosting a masterclass on their final day of school.

The duo reunited at the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts, a facility Bennett opened in 2001 in his hometown of Astoria, Queens.

The legendary crooner usually attends the annual graduation ceremony, but is unable to make it to this year's (14) event due to his hectic tour schedule.

To make up for his absence, he recruited Gaga to join him for a special performance and masterclass at the school's Tony Bennett Concert Hall on Monday (16Jun14).

Bennett and Gaga began the event by discussing jazz music before answering questions from members of the 700-strong audience.

Bennett gushed about his eccentric pop star pal, telling the crowd, "When I first heard Gaga sing, my reaction was that she is going to be bigger than Elvis.

"She is so bright and intelligent and she has 'it'. In jazz you either got it, the syncopation, the rhythm, or you don't, and when I heard Gaga I said she's got it!"

The pair then performed for the audience - Bennett sang The Very Thought of You, while Gaga performed a cover of Cole Porter's Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye. They then came together to sing the standard I Can't Give You Anything but Love, while dancing cheek-to-cheek.

A student choir gave the final performance of the event with covers of Bennett's Smile and Gaga's hit song Applause.

Bennett and Gaga first collaborated on his Duets II album in 2011, covering The Lady Is A Tramp, and are currently working on a jazz record slated for release later this year (14).