Alum Masters Life’s Rhythms as Computer Scientist, Musician

In 2019 Gorden Cheng BS’03 received a standing ovation after a solo piano recital at The University of Texas at Dallas. It was a high-water mark in Cheng’s lifelong musical journey and a particularly special accomplishment for the former music student who had become a successful cybersecurity expert as well as a competitor in the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition.

After graduating from UT Dallas with a degree in computer science, Cheng moved to San Diego, where he lives with his wife and two children; earned a Master of Business Administration; and eventually became the deputy corporate security architect for Oracle.

But his love for music, discovered and nurtured at UT Dallas, never left him.

“The work ethic, quality, high standards and continuous improvement that I learned from music carry over into all areas of my life,” he said.

Born in China, Cheng was 5 when he moved with his family to the U.S. so his father could pursue a doctorate in mechanical engineering. The family eventually settled in North Texas, where Cheng’s father worked in the region’s computer chip industry. Cheng said he grew up with a fascination for computer gaming and hacking.

“One of the reasons I got into the field of cybersecurity is because I love hacking and breaking computers,” he said. “And it turns out, it’s a very profitable field to be in.”

From the age of 8, Cheng’s childhood also included music lessons, something he readily admits he didn’t enjoy.

“I was made to practice at least 30 minutes a day, and honestly, I have to say I did not like the piano when I was learning to play,” he said.

Cheng did not discover his passion for music and the piano until he became a student at UT Dallas in 1999.

It was in the Erik Jonsson Academic Center where his love for classical music was ignited. He discovered the arts and humanities school’s Steinway grand piano. He also met a renowned member of the music faculty. The Steinway in the Jonsson Performance Hall is used for concerts and by students studying music, and Cheng went there often to practice, even though he was a computer science major. For Cheng, playing a piano from the legendary instrument maker was revelatory.

“I found the Steinway in Jonsson Hall, and I just sat down and started playing,” Cheng said. “The sound was incredible, way better than anything I had ever played before. As a kid I started playing on a tiny little digital keyboard that didn’t even have the full 88 keys.”

Cheng came to the attention of UT Dallas professor of music Dr. Robert Xavier Rodríguez, who learned of Cheng’s interest and budding talent. Rodríguez, the Chair of Art and Aesthetic Studies, invited Cheng to join Musica Nova, his student chamber music ensemble. Even though he wasn’t a music major, Cheng played with the group and studied with Rodríguez for four years.

“For me, Gorden exemplifies what UTD is all about: Science makes the living, and the arts make the living worthwhile.”

Dr. Robert Xavier Rodríguez, professor of music and the Chair of Art and Aesthetic Studies

“Our relationship at the beginning was a bit tumultuous,” Cheng said. “He was so strict. And on top of that, I’ve never played with a violinist or a cellist before. That concept of playing with other people, understanding rhythm, looking at body language and all of that — there was just so much that I had to learn. But we became very good friends, and he still gives me advice about my playing.”

Rodríguez said, “From the beginning, Gorden showed his talent and passion for music. I paid him the compliment of challenging him to give his best.”

After graduation, Cheng began competing in amateur piano competitions throughout the U.S. and Europe, including the Cliburn Competition in Fort Worth. In his first appearance in 2016, Cheng reached the semifinals. He competed again in 2022, although he was eliminated in the opening round. In 2022, he won the grand prize at the Boston International Piano Competition.

“For me, winning or losing doesn’t really matter at this point, because it doesn’t change the end goal,” Cheng said. “I’ve dealt with disappointment so often in my life, and what’s really important is what you do in the face of that. You learn a lot more about who you are as a person from facing disappointment than if you actually win.”

When Cheng returned to the UT Dallas campus in 2019, it was at Rodríguez’s invitation. He performed his solo piano recital in Jonsson Performance Hall on the same Steinway piano he had discovered there as a UT Dallas freshman.

“That was the same piano I practiced on all those years ago,” Cheng said. “That recital was a crowning achievement for me in my 30-plus-year musical journey.”

For Rodríguez, the success Cheng has enjoyed in his career and as an amateur musician is at the heart of why a UT Dallas education is so valuable.

“For me, Gorden exemplifies what UTD is all about: Science makes the living, and the arts make the living worthwhile,” Rodríguez said.