Whiz Kid: Steven Gordon Tuning Up for College

Like a bird flying from the nest, it's going to be hard to watch Steven Gordon leave .

During his tenure at the school, the piano phenom racked up a litany of accomplishments. He performed in Samohi's Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble and Madrigals choir, not to mention the California Honor All-State Jazz Band, through which he won the Soloist Award at the Western States Jazz Festival.

Earlier this year, he helped bring the Samohi Jazz Band and Combo to the Berklee Jazz Festival, where they in both groups (Gordon received a soloist award).

Moreover, he also named a Grand Prize Finalist for the prestigious Spotlight Awards. As part of the honor, bestowed by the Music Center at the Performing Arts Center of Los Angeles, he performed at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion earlier this spring.

"The energy of the audience was incredible, and it meant so much to have my family, friends, and many others in the audience," he said. "I particularly want to thank Jeri Gaile and the Music Center for their continued support."

Gordon—who also sings, and plays organ, guitar and clarinet—was president of the school's Jazz Club too. And, perhaps most impressive of all, he was a featured member of the high-profile Grammy High School Jazz Band.

Alas, after amassing all those accomplishments, it's time for Gordon to move on.

Back in February, the Samohi senior told Santa Monica Patch that he wasn't sure where he'd be going to college after his final year at Samohi.

"I'm not decided," he said. "It's between some conservatories on the East Coast and some schools on the West Coast."

But, earlier this week, he checked back in and said he'd made up his mind.

"I'm very excited to say that I will be headed to Boston next year, to the New England Conservatory!" he wrote. "I will be studying jazz piano, as well as composition and arranging."

Gordon added that he's also planning to study classical piano, and is especially excited about the opportunity to work with two instructors in particular: Fred Hersch and Jason Moran.

"What excites me about the program is that it encourages the mixing of both classical and jazz, as well as helping students develop a sound that truly defines them," he said. "The faculty at NEC will hopefully provide a space in which I can achieve musically and grow creatively at the highest level."

While the New England Conservatory is the oldest independent school of music in the U.S., Gordon said there were other factors in his decision. For one, going to school in Boston will allow him to take classes at other nearby colleges, including Tufts University.

Gordon plans to "develop my interests in human rights work and public relations" at Tufts, he said. (Gordon was co-president of Samohi's Human Rights Club.)

"While I am excited to be attending the focused environment of the conservatory, it is extremely important to me that I continue my studies in other areas," he said. "It is my firm belief that learning and growing academically and otherwise as a person is critical to creating meaningful music. It is important to have a sense of one's role as a global citizen in any field, especially in music."

From all indications, Gordon is as worthy a citizen as you'll find. Conversations with him are underscored by his humility, and while he developed an impressive musical repertoire, he didn't develop an ego along with it.

"Though I look forward to meeting new musicians and mentors, I am honored to have worked with my private teachers Tamir Hendelman and Rina Dokshitsky in my high school years, and will always learn from their professionalism and kindness," he said.

Don't miss Gordon and the Samohi Jazz Band perform at the Catalina Jazz Club in Hollywood on Sunday. They'll be playing with George Kahn as part of "Jazz Brunch," starting at noon.

Want to recommend a young person who has made extraordinary accomplishments in the Santa Monica community, for feature in "Whiz Kid"? Drop a line to Kurt.Orzeck@patch.com.

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