MUSICIAN
From Ensemble to Orchestra: Building Music and Community
Music has been part of my life since childhood, first at the piano, then with the cello, an instrument that gave me both discipline and voice. Years of practice eventually led me to become First Cello of the Varsity Orchestra, performing on stages such as the Shanghai Symphony Hall and receiving the school’s Music Award for Dependability. Yet the deeper meaning of music came not from certificates or awards, but from watching our small ensemble grow into a full orchestra.
As the orchestra expanded, I took on more than performance: leading sectionals, mentoring younger players, and helping shape a culture of commitment and collaboration. Under our collective effort, rehearsals that once fit into classrooms became concerts that brought the community together, from Founder's Day ceremonies to full-scale productions in professional halls. For me, the orchestra was not just about harmony in sound, but about harmony in people, how music can build belonging and shared purpose.
Beyond performance, I wanted to make learning music less isolating for beginners. Drawing on my own years at the piano bench, I designed an AI-powered piano gesture correction app that uses computer vision and neural networks to give real-time feedback on posture and technique. Piloted in community schools and now used by more than eighty young learners, it helps children gain confidence and joy in music. Awarded First Prize at Invention Convention China 2024, the project deepened my belief that technology can humanize learning and make music education more inclusive.
What I carry from these experiences is the belief that music is more than expression: it is leadership through listening, growth through discipline, and community through collaboration. And, like science or technology, its value lies in how it shapes people and connects them.
