Yamaha Corporation of America presented a $1,000 scholarship to Devon Gordon of Danville High School in Indiana. Gordon was nominated by Adrian Hartsough, Danville High School’s band director, due to his strong musicianship, leadership qualities and strong work ethic.
“Devon’s a gifted French horn player and percussionist and has the strongest musical ear I’ve encountered from a high school student,” Hartsough says.
Gordon leads by example while encouraging others and supporting his peers. Gordon’s first experience assisting his band director with the middle school band provided him with an opportunity that would set his sights on becoming a music educator one day.
“I will always remember the day of their band contest,” Gordon says. “I sat myself down at the side of the gym, fully confident they were going to make me proud no matter what award they took home – they took home a gold rating. I still remember that being one of the proudest moments of my life.”
For Gordon, a valuable lesson was learned and a music educator was born.
“I realized that being a music educator is more than scores and successes,” Gordon says. “My dedication to these students has been my pride and joy, and I would love nothing more in the world than to be able to do this for the rest of my life.”