A Star on the Horizon: Teen Music Talent Tyler Gumpel

Tyler Gumpel is a young person with big plans. The ninth grader at Babylon Junior Senior High School is already an accomplished guitarist and singer. He performs at several local open mic events, including the one at the Babylon Bean. Patch talked with Gumpel to learn more about his musical passions. To hear him perform original music, click here.

How did you get started with music?

Gumpel: My dad plays guitar and when I was little, I got a beginner guitar. I took my first lesson when I was nine, and I never stopped. Now we jam together. My guitar teacher is Mike Slynts at Guitar Masters in Copiague. He’s a great teacher.

Do you play other instruments?

Gumpel: I play harmonica, ukulele, piano and Middle Eastern flute. And I’m in chorus at school.

Who are your musical influences?

Gumpel: I really really, really love the Beatles. I’ve always loved them--every song. They’re amazing geniuses--they changed along with the world, and in only one decade.

At the Bean’s Open Mic night, you performed an original song.

Gumpel: Yes, I wrote “Painter’s Eye” for a friend who graduated from high school. My sister Maya, who’s a poet, helped me with the metaphor that a painting stays the same but in life, we people have to keep changing. 

What are your favorite aspects of performing live?

Gumpel: Performing is my number one favorite activity. I love playing music and I actually feel it inside while I’m playing it. It comes very naturally for me, and is very very very fun. And I enjoy the clapping from the audience!

Anything else?

Gumpel: When I get nervous, I talk a lot. This is fun because I get to know the crowd and say “hi” and crack some jokes.

And that makes you feel more comfortable.

Gumpel: Yes. A couple of weeks ago, I went to Manhattan to the Jacob Javits Center to audition for America’s Got Talent. I had to sing in front of five judges. Having done the open mics was great preparation, because now I’m so used to performing in front of people.

What did you sing for the judges?

Gumpel: Auditioners had to sing 90 seconds of the best portion of a well-known song. I did “American Girl,” by Tom Petty.

How did you do?

Gumpel: I felt good about it. Contestants have to wait until anytime from January through April to find out. But when I was standing in line before the audition, a producer came up and had me perform for the camera. It may become part of the introduction to the show. 

What else are you involved in these days?

Gumpel: I’m in rehearsals for “Man of La Mancha” at Babylon High School. I’m playing the role of Sancho Panza. I get to sing three solos and one duet.

Besides solo work, are you interested in playing in a band?

Gumpel: I’m recruiting for a band right now.

What are your ultimate plans?

Gumpel: I’m going to try my hardest to make it in music. I’ll never give up. When I’m about 20 years old, I’ll go to medical school also. I’d like to be a pediatrician at North Shore LIJ. I like kids a lot. I’d like to teach theater and music part time. I’ll always be a musician. And I want to travel the world. Last year, through the school, I went to England. I’d like to travel every year of my life.

You’re going to have a busy life.

Gumpel: Yes. I want to do like the poet Robert Frost said, and live deliberately.

Anything else you’d like to say?

Gumpel: I want to thank my parents and friends for being so helpful to me. And I love living in Babylon Village. It’s great to know everybody and how close we all are. Everyone is connected.