Published January 29, 2025
BY OLIVIA FORT
Matthew and Elijah David, sophomores at Carmel High School, have been making waves in music, in their athletics, in and outside of school, all while striving for excellence in their passions.
Beginning in the Vivace Children’s Choir of San Jose at age 4, the identical twin boys started piano lessons a year later. The brothers moved to the Monterey Peninsula in sixth grade from San Jose right before starting seventh grade at Carmel Middle School.
“Moving to a completely different environment after a year and a half of quarantine was 100% a challenge,” explains Elijah.
Elijah and Matthew David (from left) competing at a United States Open Music Competition. (courtesy of MATTHEW DAVID)
At 12, the two began learning under acclaimed pianist Katie Gueorguieve-Ledford, leading them to participate in The United States Open Music Competitions and American Protégé international piano competitions. Their successful placement of fourth place at USOMC led to their duet performance of Chopin’s “Military Polonaise” under the bright lights of Carnegie Hall in December of 2024.
“Compared to previous competitions, I was extremely nervous, because it was such a prestigious location, and I was playing with some of the greatest musicians in the country,” says Matthew.
While the twins are actively involved in the classical piano world, they have also participated in the Monterey Jazz Festival’s Youth Summer Program, studying improvisation under Grammy Award winner Tammy Hall. They are also members of the CHS Singer-Songwriters’ Club as composers and accompanists.
“They are hardworking, they’re disciplined, and they both have a winning combination of what it takes to be great pianists, as you need both the talents and the dedication,” says Katie Gueorguieve.
Matthew, a member of the CHS Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Workshop and several school bands, has faced significant health challenges, including asthma and heart surgery. The surgery was for an irregular heartbeat condition called supraventricular tachycardia, which made it incredibly difficult as well as dangerous to continue running at his level. Despite this, his recovery from the surgery has allowed him to continue running at high levels, including placing seventh at CCS championships.
“In a kind of twisted way, it really helped me focus on my music because I lost all my faith in running,” explains Matthew, “Especially in the piece that I performed at Carnegie Hall, I played that piece non-stop after my surgery, which got me ready for competition.”
Elijah, who has perfect pitch and is self-taught on the ukulele, is also a part of multiple bands and has a keen interest in a future filled with music. Diagnosed with dyslexia at a young age, he is still successful in his classes and in his ability to sight read music. Elijah is also a member of the varsity track and cross country team at CHS alongside Matthew.
“My dyslexia is one of those things that I actually have to put in the work for, and I do, I work with it every day,” says Elijah, “But, yeah, it’s definitely something I struggle with.”
Through their dedication to both music and athletics, Matthew and Eli David serve as a shining example of what it means to follow one’s passions.
