GORDON LI

Gordon studied with Dr. Lam from 2013 to 2022, at which time he graduated from Ridge High School. Gordon will begin attending the NYU Stern School of Business in fall 2022. Gordon loves piano and believes that enjoying music as both the performer and listener is incredibly important to a happy life. Starting piano at the age of five, Gordon soon realized that he could express feelings and emotions through piano in a way that could not be matched through words and gestures. In high school, Gordon began playing duets with Jasmine Meyer. Under Dr. Lam’s excellent tutelage, Gordon won many state and national awards, including first place in the solo and duet divisions for the MEA-NJ Annual Piano Competition, first and second place in the NJMTA Young Musicians Competition for duet and solo, Gold prize in the National Young Artists Chamber Music and Ensemble Competition, Grand prize in the National Young Artist competition, two-time finalist in the MTNA National Competition for Piano Duet, and the Grand Award and Platinum Prize winner for the Apex International Music Competition. Gordon’s favorite aspect of music is its power to act as the universal language, uniting people regardless of their differences. Gordon’s favorite composer is Mozart.

Outside of piano, Gordon is also heavily involved in his school and local community. Gordon served in the Ridge High School student government as a senator, freshman class president, and student body president. He was also an active member of the Ridge High School Academic League, Peer Leader program, Cultural Bridge Club, International Public Policy Forum debate team, and the Latin Certamen Quizbowl team. As a high school senior, Gordon received the 2022 National Merit $2500 Scholarship, with only 2,500 recipients out of a pool of 1.4 million applicants. Gordon currently volunteers as the Treasurer and Executive Fundraising Coordinator for the United Chinese Americans Youth Leadership Council, working towards giving Asians and Chinese Americans a greater voice in education and politics. Gordon also plays the trumpet for fun, participating in his high school’s Wind Ensemble. In his free time, Gordon loves reading, watching history documentaries, traveling, and trying new food.