Meet Alina Gordon of San Diego

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alina Gordon.

Hi Alina, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My Story: How I Started and How I Got Here

My journey has never been linear—it’s been a blend of music, community, risk-taking, reinvention, and following what feels true in my soul. I began as a classically trained pianist at age five, and music has always been the language I understand best. But my life really shifted in 2020. In the middle of Covid, when everything shut down and the world felt disconnected, I realized how deeply I needed music—not just as entertainment, but as a form of spirituality, grounding, and human connection.

On May 8th, 2020, I took a chance that changed everything. I set up a small sunset DJ set at Torrey Pines Gliderport—no permits, no gatherings allowed, technically risking arrest—because I felt called to create a space where people could breathe again. I went live on Facebook, it exploded, and people begged to join in person. That single act of faith became the birth of Church of Music, which grew into one of San Diego’s largest community-powered movements during the pandemic. We gathered outdoors, left every place better than we found it, partnered with local nonprofits, and created a radically inclusive, healing community rooted in music and belonging.

When police shut us down early on, instead of giving up, I dug into the legal system, hired a legal team, formally established Church of Music, and built a structure that allowed our gatherings to continue safely and with full protection. That experience taught me what resilience, purpose, and leadership truly look like.

Since then, my creative and professional world has expanded in many directions: DJing, teaching intro piano, producing large-scale community gatherings, supporting the growth of a design and branding agency, relaunching my project Stanza Pet, and stepping into my role as a Major Gifts and Planned Giving Officer at Forever Balboa Park—where I help connect people to meaningful opportunities to support one of the most iconic cultural spaces in the country.

My path has been guided by a simple truth: I build spaces where people feel alive, connected, and part of something bigger than themselves. Everything I’ve done—every risk, every pivot, every creation—has led me to a life centered around art, service, community, and purpose.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
A Story of Resilience: How Church of Music Earned Its Place

In the early days of Church of Music, we were gathering purely out of need—spiritual, emotional, communal—not out of any formal structure. We weren’t registered. We weren’t “official.” We were simply humans seeking connection during a time when the world felt impossibly divided and shut down. One day, during an outdoor service with plenty of open space for distancing, the police arrived in response to a complaint and shut us down. It felt heartbreaking, especially because we were doing everything we could to gather safely, peacefully, and responsibly.

I remember asking the officer a simple question: “If we were an actual church, would we be allowed to gather?” I also asked how large peaceful protests were being permitted with no issues. His answer was honest: if we were a recognized religious organization and our gatherings were peaceful, we had every right to meet. That moment sparked something in me—a mix of frustration, clarity, and determination. If music was our spiritual practice, then we had to protect it.

I spent countless hours digging through legal regulations, emergency orders, and First Amendment protections. I hired a legal team and formally established Church of Music as a legitimate spiritual organization. Once we did, everything changed. We reached out to the police before each service—told them where we’d be, what time we’d gather, and what we needed. Instead of shutting us down, they asked how they could support us. They protected our services, ensured safety, and even shielded us from the “Karens” who continued calling to complain.

What started as a shutdown became a turning point—a moment where resilience, clarity of mission, and legal recognition converged. It transformed CoM from a spontaneous gathering into a protected, respected community movement. And it taught me that when you stand firmly in your purpose, even the systems that feel like barriers can become your allies.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My Work: What I Do and What Sets Me Apart

My work lives at the intersection of music, community-building, creativity, and service. I’m a classically trained pianist, DJ, community organizer, and creative producer, and I pour those worlds together to create spaces where people feel deeply connected, inspired, and alive. I specialize in building experiences—large and small—that bring people together with intention, meaning, and a sense of belonging.

I’m best known for founding Church of Music (CoM), a movement that started during the pandemic and grew into one of San Diego’s most impactful community-driven gatherings. CoM is rooted in inclusivity, artistry, service, and radical ethos—where DJs, musicians, families, and people from all backgrounds come together to celebrate music and community while giving back to local nonprofits. What makes CoM unique is that it was never just an event; it became a culture, a home, and a sanctuary for thousands.

Beyond CoM, I DJ, teach intro piano, produce community experiences, support the growth of a design and branding agency, and currently serve as a Major Gifts and Planned Giving Officer at Forever Balboa Park, helping connect people to meaningful opportunities to preserve and elevate one of the country’s most iconic cultural spaces. I’m also relaunching Stanza Pet, a community-driven platform where pet owners and non-pet owners exchange pet care services through a credit-based system, ensuring accessibility for all.

What I’m most proud of is the impact—not just the scale. I’ve created ecosystems where people feel seen, cared for, and part of something bigger. My work is grounded in intention, inclusivity, and soul. And what sets me apart is that I don’t just produce events or projects—I build communities and experiences that transform people, even if only for a moment. My focus is always on meaning, connection, and leaving every space and every person better than I found them.

We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
How I Define Success

To me, success isn’t measured by titles, money, or traditional milestones—it’s measured by alignment, impact, and how alive I feel in the life I’m creating. Success is waking up and knowing I’m living my purpose, expressing my soul, and contributing something meaningful to the world. It’s building communities where people feel seen and connected, raising my daughter with love, creating art that moves people, and leaving every space better than I found it. Success is when my outer life reflects my inner truth. When I’m growing, serving, creating, and loving fully—that’s when I know I’m successful.

Pricing:

• COM does have membership options starting at $99/month
• $550 per year

Contact Info:

• Website: https://churchofmusictribe.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/churchofmusicsd/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alinagordon
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/churchofmusic