Ocean City ‘s Gifted Young Pianist to Perform an Upcoming Benefit Concerts
By Steffen Klenk
Recently, I had the opportunity of interviewing a young piano prodigy named Scott Nuss. At the young age of 14, this Ocean City High School freshman has made a name for himself, playing benefit concerts for charity and composing his own original songs.
Originally from Perry Hall, Maryland, Scott began playing the piano since the age of 4, following in his brother Grant’s footsteps. Although Grant lost interest, Scott continued to persevere in his exceptional talent.
Scott held his first public on-stage performance at Perry Hall High School two years ago. He describes the first moments stepping on stage. “I was a little bit nervous; I didn’t know what to say in between songs, but once I started singing, those nerves quickly went away.”
After relocating to Ocean City in the summer of 2017, Scott devised an original piece that stunned everyone. Titled “Ocean City, New Jersey Theme Song,” the composition describes his love for the shore town. He has also written a song entitled “Dreams Can Come True,” about doing your best and achieving your dreams. He and his family vacationed in Ocean City for many years, relocating here out of love of the area’s cultural scene.
Scott’s one-man show at the Ocean City Community Center last year attracted the attention of Mayor Jay Gillian, who noted his talents in the Mayor’s Update. Last September, he performed a show at the Ocean City High School Auditorium titled The Piano Men with Dr. Daniel Weiser, a classical pianist and Doctorate in Piano and Chamber music at the Peabody Institute. Being a fan of Billy Joel, Scott incorporates his music into performances; his favorite songs include “New York State of Mind” and “Scenes from an Italian Restaurant.”
Jill Nuss, Scott’s mom and manager, talks about how proud she is over her son’s success. “He is so calm. I always say he works better under pressure. When he gets on the stage, he is a natural, and he gets it perfect every time.”
Andrew Hink, local gifted vocalist, pianist and composer with the Ocean City Theatre Company, has been sharing his artistry with Scott. Along with teaching proper piano skills, Andrew has been assisting Scott’s vocal range and songwriting comprehension.
In our ever-expanding art and music community, Scott not only shows his extraordinary talents but also his generosity and kindness to others. Through his benefit concerts, thousands of dollars have been raised for St. Jude’s Research Hospital for Children, a charity that inspired him after watching the commercials on TV. When Scott is not in front of the piano, he can be found throughout Ocean City playing tennis or on a surfboard at the beach.
Scott Nuss and Andrew Hink will be performing a benefit concert at the Ocean City Tabernacle on Saturday, May 11th. The show, Tunes for Trees, will raise money for the Pinelands Preservation Alliance. Tickets will be sold at the door for $15. Those who are interested in purchasing tickets in advance can e-mail pianomenconcert@gmail.com.
To those who are learning to play an instrument, Scott says “always keep trying. Even if it is too hard, just know that after you get past that point, it’s going to get easy.”
Steffen Klenk is a multimedia journalist. He resides in Ocean City and enjoys capturing the eclectic moments of shore life.
