Gabriel Gaw, 16, is an 11th grade home schooled student in Egg Harbor Township, NJ. Gabe is a multi-instrumentalist. He started playing the piano when he was 5. He was a four time Piano Guild National Gold Award winner. He still studies piano under Donna Battista of Bay Atlantic Symphony. Gabe started playing percussion in 4th grade with much success. Since 6th grade, he has always been selected for percussion in NJMEA regional bands, as high as 1st chair for both Battery Percussion and Keyboard Percussion. Gabe studied percussion under Dean Witten of Rowan University until Professor Witten passed away. Under Dean Witten, Gabe, 14 then, was selected to play in the Marimba Masters Junior ensemble, comprised of Juilliard Pre-College percussion students.
Gabriel started playing the bass in 6th grade. Since 7th grade, Gabe has been a double bassist in NJMEA All-State orchestras. As a sophomore, Gabe became the principal bass for 2018 NJMEA All-State Orchestra and All-State Wind Ensemble. He has been selected to participate in 2019 NAfME All-Eastern Honors Orchestra. Currently he is a member of Philadelphia Youth Orchestra, Philharmonic of Southern New Jersey and Cape Shore Jazz Orchestra. Jazz, besides classical, is Gabe’s another passion in music. He has always been 1st chair bass for All-South Jersey Jazz Band ever since he was old enough to compete. Gabe has attended the Kimmel Center Advanced Jazz program. Gabe’s been fortunate enough to study classical double bass with Francois Rabbath, Douglas Mapp, Nancy Merriam, John Hood, Nate West, Mary Javian and Brent Edmondson. His current jazz bass teacher is Andy Lalasis.
Gabe was admitted to American MENSA when he was 8 years old. As a math wiz, Gabe competed in Mathlete Competitions when he was younger and placed as high as 3rd (individual) and 1st (group). In 8th grade, he scored 740 in SAT math section to receive High Honors Award from John Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth. Despite his high ability in math and science, Gabe wants to study music in college to become a classical double bassist.
Bach Cello Suite 1: Gigue
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WeO4yfG2eQ (1 mins)
Bottesini Fantasia on 'La Sonnambula'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQY1-UR4XbQ (8 mins)
Koussevitzky Double Bass Concerto
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIhCB96kn54 (3 mins)
