A musical prodigy who started performing Elvis and Johnny Cash tunes on the piano and guitar at age 5, appeared on the Wendy Williams Show at 6, has his own YouTube channel, and has performed for the Children’s Miracle Network and major charities, Gabriel Storm Jarrett, now 10, moved from Jacksonville to Bradenton’s IMG Academy with his parents, Misty and Philip, a year ago so he could pursue his other passion: tennis.

Team Spirit

Misty: “We had no idea how international IMG is—Russia, China, Japan, South America. Quite a few families live on campus. We eat together a lot, and [watch] the kids practice. It’s very friendly, even though not all of us understand each other perfectly.”

Advantage IMG

Misty: “We were looking for a place to take a break [from Gabriel’s musical career]. He picked up tennis one day and would not stop. That’s Gabriel; he’ll work extremely hard at something he’s passionate about.”

Gabriel: “There are so many good coaches [at IMG] and the training is amazing; it’s crazy how I’ve developed.”

Good Sports

Gabriel: “I go to IMG Academy School in the mornings, then from 1:30 to 5:30 we play tennis, and after that we have lessons, plus there’s mental and physical conditioning every day. Some nights at 9 o’clock my dad and I go out and hit balls; that’s the beauty of living here.”

Game Plan

Gabriel: “I don’t know if I’ll be a performer or a tennis player. I’m going to let God lead me.”

Misty: “Maybe he’ll be a rock star tennis player.”

Take a Break

Gabriel: “[At] Siesta; the sand’s amazing and the water’s so clear. We love fishing at the Robinson Nature Preserve. We like the flamingoes at Jungle Gardens; that’s Daddy’s favorite place. And we went kayaking through the mangrove tunnels on South Lido. It was a Mother’s Day gift.”

Click here to read past My New Hometown interviews. >>

This article appears in the November 2014 issue of Sarasota Magazine. Click here to subscribe. >>