Tuskegee’s Pinkney excels in tennis and music

Tuskegee player and coach at MACH Academy wrote music for Augusta youth orchestra

Tennis and music have been two constants in Eliyahu Pinkney’s life. His passion for both has provided opportunities for growth, joy and developing new relationships.

Pinkney’s two worlds merged last summer while the Tuskegee University junior was coaching tennis at MACH Academy in Augusta, Ga. Two players Pinkney taught were in the Youth Orchestra of Greater Augusta, including the son of the director, Ryan Kho. 

Once Kho found out Pinkney wrote music, he asked if he could listen to a few samples. It led to Pinkney's piece being performed by the youth orchestra’s 2024 Fall Concert, held at the Augusta University Grover C. Maxwell Performing Arts Theatre.

Pinkney traveled home from college to hear his original composition being perfromed with the orchestra. The piece Pinkney wrote showcased his creativity, depth and artistic vision.

“It was very surreal,” Pinkney said. “Everything was awesome and they sounded amazing. It was a great day.”

Music runs in Pinkney’s family. His mom, Katrina, played the piano and clarinet. His oldest brother played the saxophone and his middle brother played the trumpet. Pinkney grew up playing the trombone and trumpet. The Memphis native also sang on Beale Street in his hometown when he was 12 and was a member of the Jacksonville Children’s Chorus.

Katrina is a volunteer on the USTA Southern NJTL Committee.

Pinkney started listening to classical music in 2015 to broaden his horizons and fell in love with the genre. He soon began to compose his own music, including writing two concertos.

“Eliyahu is a genius,” Tuskegee men’s tennis coach Gregory Green said. “He is able to perform at an extremely high level on and off the tennis court. He is able to use his vision and put it on paper, which is totally unbelievable. He has always thought outside the box on and off the court. A once-in-a-lifetime talent.”

Pickney had a 5-3 record in singles and a 7-8 record in doubles last year.

Pinkney has more chances to display his musical gifts in 2025. He has been in contact with the director of the concert choir at Tuskegee and wrote a song for the choir to perform next semester. He wrote another piece that will be performed by an elementary school in St. Louis during Black History Month.

Because of his diverse ambitions, Pinkney, who is majoring in supply chain management, is pondering a host of options to pursue once he graduates.