SFBayView.com: 'Pianist Stephanie Woodford, 18, one of 173 worldwide chosen to attend Grammy Camp'

Stephanie Woodford and her mother at the piano 

Photo: Lance Burton, Planet Fillmore Communications

San Francisco Bay View

June 28, 2014

by Lance Burton, Planet Fillmore Communications

There’s no shortage of Black citizen profiles of personal success.

One bright profile of a San Francisco community jewel was recently brought to my attention. Stephanie Woodford is an 18-year-old who grew up in and lives on Fillmore Street with her dad. I knew of Stephanie because she would come to Marcus Book Store with her father as just a child and play on the piano. It was clear she had a talent.

She became so good under the sustaining support of her mom, dad, strength of conviction and community encouragement that one year we had her perform outside Marcus Book Store during the Fillmore Street Jazz Festival. She was a big hit. Stephanie, since, went on to the Conservatory of Music out on 19th Avenue – studying Bach and Beethoven right alongside Miles Davis and John Coltrane. She is currently a student of piano attending St. Ignatius College Preparatory and is about to graduate.

But here is the great news: The arc to Stephanie’s educational success continues. One hundred seventy-three high school students have been selected from around the globe to attend Grammy Camp Los Angeles.  This is a marvelous and outstanding chance to gain exposure in the professional music industry.

Stephanie was THE ONE San Francisco student chosen from many to participate. The Grammy Foundation selected talented high school students from 125 U.S. cities and 31 U.S. states and six international students from China, Japan and England to participate in the 10th annual Grammy Camp program.

Grammy Camp Los Angeles offers selected high school students an interactive 10-day residential summer music experience. Focusing on all aspects of commercial music, this unique opportunity provides instruction by industry professionals in an immersive, creative environment with cutting-edge technology in professional facilities.

Comment by email: 

Dear Mr. Zick,  What a nice surprise to find Stephanie as the lead story on your blog. Very much appreciate the exposure for Stephanie, The Bayview paper and Planet Fillmore.  

From the link you provided I can see this is a good place to learn about classical music culture and there's a lot of good music being created. And, it looks like the appreciation is world wide. Great story on the concert by Morgan State Choir at the Borisov Children's Music and Art School. I've always heard there is great interest and appreciation for the music of African Americans in Russia. Those are 

great photos that suggest what I've heard is true. Very good work.

Thanks very much for the connect.  Lance Burton