Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Alina Gordon. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alina, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.
On May 8th, 2020, in the middle of a shut-down world, I took a risk that changed my life—and San Diego—forever. Music was my religion, and after seeing churches hold outdoor services during Covid, I decided I would hold my own “service” at Gliderport: a sunset set with borrowed equipment, no permits, no gatherings allowed, and fully prepared to be arrested for simply bringing people together through sound. I went live on Facebook, and it exploded—people begged to know where I was and how they could join. What began as a rebellious act of faith in music became Church of Music: the largest movement in San Diego during Covid, welcoming thousands weekly, leaving every space better than we found it, supporting local nonprofits, and building the most inclusive, heart-centered community I’ve ever had the privilege to lead.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
About Me: Art, Community, and the World I’m Building
My name is Alina Gordon, and at the heart of everything I create—whether it’s music, community gatherings, philanthropic work, or creative production—is one belief: music is a vehicle for belonging, healing, and radical connection. I’ve spent my life orbiting around this idea. I grew up as a classically trained pianist, started playing at age five, and later expanded my creative expression into DJing, events, community building, and arts education. But my work truly came into focus on May 8th, 2020, when—right in the middle of lockdown—I took a risk that reshaped my life and the lives of thousands of people in San Diego.
Inspired by watching churches hold outdoor services during Covid, I realized that music was my form of spirituality. I was craving connection and meaning, and I knew others were too. So I borrowed equipment, drove to the cliffs at Torrey Pines Gliderport, set up a speaker and my decks, and played a sunset set—fully knowing there were no gatherings allowed, no music permitted, and public spaces were technically off-limits. I was willing to get arrested for that moment of truth. I went live on Facebook, and the stream went viral. People begged to know where I was and how they could join.
That one rebellious act became the seed of what is now Church of Music (CoM)—a movement, a community, a weekly “service,” and the most meaningful creative work of my life. What started as a single sunset set became thousands of people coming every week during Covid, all outside, all sober-friendly, all inclusive, and all driven by a simple ethic: leave every place better than you found it, create belonging for everyone, and use music as a force for good.
Today, Church of Music has become one of the largest grassroots arts and community movements in San Diego—a place where families, artists, dancers, healers, volunteers, activists, DJs, musicians, and people from all backgrounds come together to co-create joy, beauty, and connection. We’ve partnered with local nonprofits, supported orphanages in Mexico, curated donation-based arts programs, launched the CoM Music & Arts Academy, and built a community that spans thousands. I’m proud that CoM has become a living ethos: inclusive, service-oriented, artistic, soulful, radically compassionate, and deeply human.
Beyond CoM, I also lead and co-create in multiple creative and entrepreneurial arenas. I support the growth of a design and branding agency, contribute to major community initiatives, DJ, give intro piano and DJ lessons, produce large-scale gatherings, and integrate philanthropy into everything I do. I also serve as a Major Gifts and Planned Giving Officer at Forever Balboa Park, where I connect people to meaningful opportunities to preserve and elevate one of the most iconic cultural spaces in the country. I’m currently relaunching Stanza Pet, a community-driven platform where pet owners and non-pet owners exchange pet care services using credits instead of cash—everyone starts with 10 free credits, allowing people to get help immediately with no wallet required. My work sits at the intersection of art, impact, culture, spirituality, and community design. What sets me apart is that I don’t just create events—I create ecosystems: spaces where people feel seen, connected, uplifted, and part of something deeply meaningful.
What I’m most proud of is not the scale but the soul: the culture we created, the integrity of our gatherings, the way people treat each other, the deep relationships that have formed, the inclusive lineups that give emerging artists a platform, and the way our community continues to show up for one another.
If there’s one thing I want clients, collaborators, and supporters to know, it’s this:
Everything I build is rooted in love, intention, and service.
My mission is to create experiences and creative works that awaken people—through music, through community, through art—and remind us of who we are when we show up in our fullest, most connected selves.
I believe that when we gather with meaning, we change the world. And I’m here to keep building those worlds—one service, one song, one community moment at a time.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
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.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the ability to express my soul in its purest form. Creativity is where my true being comes alive—where I feel seen, felt, understood, and connected. It’s a space where I can reveal parts of myself that words alone can’t hold. Art requires vulnerability; it asks you to stand truthfully in who you are. And yet, that rawness is what makes it so beautiful. Being an artist allows me not just to create, but to be heard in a way that feels honest and alive.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://churchofmusictribe.com
- Instagram: @Churchofmusicsd
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alinagordon
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/churchofmusic
