Josh Whisenant reflects on his senior year of high school, a time filled with pressures ranging from academics to personal issues. Amidst these overwhelming moments, he found solace at the Gifted Music School in Salt Lake City, where he honed his piano skills while forming a community of like-minded individuals.
Every Saturday morning, instead of indulging in sleep or leisure, Whisenant dedicated himself to the rigorous rehearsals and classes offered by the nonprofit institution. This decision came with sacrifices, including giving up his skiing weekends, yet the companionship and sense of belonging he discovered at the school made it worthwhile.
“It was like, please don’t let this day end, because I’m gonna have to go back to the world and back to real life,” Whisenant reminisced about his experiences.
Now, a decade later, the commitment to music continues for Whisenant, who, after earning an engineering degree from Stanford, has returned to the Gifted Music School as a board member and a teaching assistant.
On a notable Thursday, around 20 alumni, many of whom have become professional musicians, returned for a collaborative gala with current students, highlighting the lasting community fostered by the school.
The Gifted Music School was founded 16 years ago by Vera Oussetskaia Watanabe and Eugene Watanabe, who aimed to fill a gap they saw in music education within the U.S. Public schooling in Russia mandates music education; upon discovering the absence of similar structures in America, Vera decided to establish the Gifted Music School.
With her personal investment and Eugene’s effort to navigate the world of nonprofit formation, the school emerged as a beacon for around 800 students today. The school not only offers a conservatory program that provides full scholarships for 38 talented musicians but also delivers preparatory classes taught by professionals, including members of the Utah Symphony.
The impact of the school has attracted students from beyond Utah. Over the years, graduates have been accepted to esteemed institutions such as The Juilliard School, Berklee College of Music, Columbia University, and Indiana University. Current graduating students are headed to Brigham Young University and other prestigious programs, showcasing the school’s robust educational offerings.
The outreach program, called Project Grit, extends music education to students in three Title 1 elementary schools. This initiative provides invaluable exposure to music for children who may not otherwise have access.
Despite the success of the Gifted Music School, financial sustainability remains a challenge. Funding primarily relies on private donations and support from Salt Lake County’s Zoo, Arts & Parks program, which are crucial in transitioning students into the higher echelons of music education.
Recently, the couple received disappointing news about the termination of additional grants from the National Endowment for the Arts. The financial support from such grants not only provided significant funding but also encouraged other donors to contribute.
“We constantly fight for funding,” Vera Watanabe expressed, emphasizing the relentless challenges they face.
Even under such pressures, the joy observed in students who enter the school keeps the Watanabes inspired. They witness firsthand the transformative power of music, a realization echoed by alumni who return to impart their experiences and knowledge.
Alumnus Adrian Wu, who briefly attended the Gifted Music School, recognized its profound influence on his career. Now pursuing a doctorate at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, he reflects on how the school opened doors for him as he developed a serious commitment to music.
Wu began playing the violin at age six but only considered it a hobby until he entered high school and started studying under Eugene Watanabe at the Gifted Music School. Surrounded by peers who motivated his growth and progress, Wu looked forward to classes every week, developing a sense of belonging that he had not experienced before.
Erika Hubbard’s journey at the Gifted Music School extended over several years. She traveled a considerable distance from her home in Logan to attend, initially questioning whether she wanted to pursue music professionally. However, under Eugene Watanabe’s encouragement, she embraced the possibilities that lay ahead.
After a remarkable educational journey at Columbia University and The Juilliard School, where she obtained a master’s in violin performance, Hubbard had planned to attend medical school. Finding herself burnt out, she returned to Salt Lake City to the community that laid her foundation.
Hubbard now teaches at the Gifted Music School and participates in Project Grit, emphasizing that music education transcends mere technical excellence.
“It’s not just about music. That’s what I didn’t realize as a kid. Music has so much more to offer these kids than just creating the next Hilary Hahn — there is some of that, and that’s great if that’s what students want,” she explained.
Hubbard highlights the importance of collaborative music-making, where students from various communities connect, learn, and grow together. This ideology aligns with the Watanabes’ vision for the school, which seeks not only to produce accomplished musicians but also well-rounded citizens who positively impact their communities.
Whisenant’s experience echoes this sentiment, as he believes the Gifted Music School positioned him for success, even in a non-musical career path.
“I would not have been going to Stanford without the Gifted Music School. Full stop,” he declared, illustrating the institution’s broad impact on its students’ futures.
Eugene Watanabe expands on the significance of arts education, noting real-world benefits of cultivating artistic skills in youth.
“When kids have arts and music education, they become more successful in their personal lives and their financial lives,” he remarked, reinforcing the community value of investing in such programs.
The presence of former students who return to support the next generation creates a continuous cycle of fellowship and gratitude that defines the Gifted Music School.
As Whisenant puts it, “I think that there are probably thousands of kids on the Wasatch Front that we don’t reach that we should. It changed everything for me, and I wish that we could just give that to more kids.”
image source from：https://www.deseret.com/utah/2025/05/22/gifted-music-school-program-salt-lake-city-utah/
