COMMUNITY CHAMPION: Local piano player wins nationwide awards at 15-years-old

El Pasoan Sammy Maddox knew that he wanted to learn to play the piano when he was just 4-years-old! Fast-forward eleven years later and Sammy has already won piano competitions nationwide and is receiving scholarship offers at the age of fifteen.

This past weekend Sammy’s mom, Lorena Maddox, proudly watched her son play the piano for others in an open-to-the-public performance at Crawford Buick GMC.

“His very first teacher kept telling me, Sammy’s really special he’s special, but I had no idea what that meant,” said Lorena Maddox.

That performance was one of many for Sammy since he has been playing the piano since he was 7-years-old.

“His passion started a little before he was 2 when I would play classical music CDs,” said Lorena.

“I really just loved the way it sounded and I just had to play. I just wanted to start playing as soon as possible,” said Sammy.

Sammy began taking lessons with Mrs. Marilyn Robinson. Once Mrs. Robinson retired, Sammy transferred to the studio of Dr. Ezequiel Meza. Jr.

After only a few months of lessons with Dr. Meza he encouraged Sammy, just 10-years-old at the time, to give his official piano solo debut concert in December 2013.

In February of 2018, at the age of fourteen, Sammy won first place in the Junior division of the Baylor/Waco piano competition in Waco, Texas, becoming the first El Pasoan to win this competition.

“I really see him doing this for the rest of his life,” said Lorena.

“God willing, I hope to go to a very good school and yes go play at professional level venues like Carnegie Hall,” said Sammy.

Sammy also performs his music as a community service on a regular basis, donating time each year to play at area assisted living centers, children’s hospitals and churches.

CLICK HERE to view more videos of Sammy’s piano performances throughout the year.