国产成人综合久久免费导航

2015                     Joined Keystone Academy (Grade 5)

2017                     Admitted by the Central Conservatory of Music Middle School (but stayed at Keystone)

2017-2021       Received a Keystone Junzi Scholarship

2019                     Admitted by Tianjin Juilliard’s Pre-College program

2021-2023      Received a Keystone Scholarship Program award

2022                    Admitted by the Department of History at Yale University

Sean Chang would begin his typical school day at around 5:30 in the morning. While everyone else was about to wake up for breakfast, Sean would already be up and running, holding piano scores and walking from his dorm toward the Keystone Academy Secondary School building. On his way to the piano room, Sean would witness the change of seasons.

There was another early bird on campus. Former Keystone Head of School Malcolm McKenzie often started his day with playing classical music in his suite in the Primary School building. On the way there, he would frequently hear piano music from the building across.

One morning, while Sean was in a Chinese class, Mr. McKenzie walked into the room greet everyone. Then he turned to Sean and asked, “Were you playing Scriabin’s etude this morning?” Stunned that the principal knew such an obscure piece and even its composer’s name, the young pianist responded in the affirmative. Mr. McKenzie invited him to play that piece at the upcoming Head of School assembly, which the student gladly accepted.

Since that first performance, Sean had performed at “Friday assemblies” several times, much to the awe of students and employees. The young musician also continued his morning routine, often without knowing that Mr. McKenzie would drop by at the door silently to listen. On one or two occasions, they talked about what they had been listening to or about the story behind the creation of some musical pieces.

Simple exchanges like those resonated strongly with Sean and showed him Mr. McKenzie’s “never-ending curiosity for music and knowledge”. He would also be enthusiastic whenever the principal would share a musician’s name or a piece of music he didn’t know—for the young pianist, it was an opportunity to expand his musical knowledge. For Mr. McKenzie, who has praised Sean’s musical prowess numerous times, such a mesmerizing talent comes from deep within.

“Sean is an excellent piano player,” Mr. McKenzie told the Keystone Office of Marketing and Communications (OMC). “He has an extraordinary understanding of music and deep thoughts on his performances. It is a gift that is in not just his fingers, his body, but moreover, his mind.”

Sean has been living a “dual life”, trying to balance pursuing liberal education and honing his musical skill. Many people around him thought it was difficult, but he held on and persevered.

In the end, his efforts paid off. In mid-December 2022, Sean he received an acceptance letter from Yale College.

During the college application season, he found out in his preliminary research that not many American universities have programs related to music or conservatories. So, for him, Yale is the place to be as it offers a variety of opportunities and courses for students with a wide range of interests, just like him.

The drive that keeps one going

Before coming to Keystone in 2015, Sean had always felt like an “outsider”. In his previous public school, Sean juggled attending classes in the morning and practicing the piano in the afternoon, leaving him with less time to study and bond with classmates. In previous piano lessons, he was told by the coach that if he wanted to become a professional musician, he should practice more.

In reality, practicing long hours doesn’t always mean a pianist can become successful. Many people have also highlighted the importance of talent—indeed, many famous musicians were prodigies in their childhood. But talent and training are only a few factors to become known. And in China’s overly saturated talent pool of budding pianists, it is easier to fall into the cacophony than be heard. According to The Economist, over 40 million Chinese children learned piano in 2019.[1]

Sean has always considered practicing the piano a vital part of his growth, but he does not want to limit himself to doing just that. Ever since he was introduced to the instrument, thanks to a kindergarten class he shared with a classmate, and getting a chance to learn it from famous Chinese pianist Bao Huiqiao, Sean has tried to push himself a little further to see how far he could go in his tough balancing act.

As it turns out, he did manage to do both. At Keystone, Sean received a Junzi Scholarship from Grade 7 to Grade 10. He became a Keystone Scholar in Grade 11 and Grade 12. In between these years, Sean faced hurdles that strengthened his resolve to improve his craft.

At 13, Sean went to Ukraine for the first time to participate in the International Competition for Young Pianists in Memory of Vladimir Horowitz. After getting knocked out early in the contest, Sean and his mother went sightseeing in downtown Kyiv and came across a slightly dilapidated concert hall with a group of musicians performing to an audience of all ages and backgrounds. He noticed that even a few older women read the scores carefully while listening. Sean had seen such a careful look in judges of many music competitions, but he was deeply moved that so many people gathered in that building to enjoy music and treat it with pure devotion. The performance received acclaim from the audience.

“Many of these people may not even know each other, but they were willing to give the loudest applause for that wonderful music,” Sean recalled of that experience, which brought him closer to the life of a musician. That moment also showed him that music can be a way of life, and that it exists beyond grand halls, music competitions, or commercial productions.

“For me, that kind of praise seemed to be a celebration and a declaration of how pure music was. Since then, I have yearned for that kind of atmosphere.”

In the following year, when Sean was in Grade 9 at Keystone, he was admitted to the Pre-College program at Tianjin Juilliard following a rigorous selection process. He spent the weekdays in Beijing and traveled to Tianjin on Saturdays to attend theoretical lectures and participate in practical classes in ensemble and chamber music. He called Tianjin Juilliard his “second school” and submitted his transcripts as part of his college application. This setup was particularly taxing for Sean; but then, he knew that talent and passion were not the only deciding factors to become an excellent pianist.

“Something very challenging always brings me greater happiness and accomplishment,” Sean told OMC. “Practicing the piano or studying for two hours straight is tiring. And so, passion alone is unlikely to help you sustain your drive. There must be a force to support and keep you going.”

In Grade 10, Sean faced another dilemma. For any Diploma Programme (DP) student, this year requires them to deal with the double pressure of academics and college application. And it wasn’t easier for Sean, either. His teachers and parents were concerned that he would be under too much pressure if he kept his balancing act. On the other hand, they also had to be realistic about his college application outcome. Keystone Director of College Counselling Percy Jiang, together with Mr. McKenzie and Sean’s piano teacher Jin Wenbin, met with the student and his mother. Mr. Jin, who has taught Sean since 2015, proposed that Sean could take one less DP course. In this way, Sean could continue practicing under Mr. Jin’s piano program. However, there was a tradeoff: Sean would need to give up the IB Diploma and instead use his Keystone diploma to apply for a conservatory.

At that time, almost everyone believed that Sean should choose this route. But the student himself did not want to give up, especially since his higher level DP courses—music, history, and design technology—were all important to him. He hoped to tackle such a challenging situation and emerge with enriching takeaways. With full determination, Sean told everyone at that meeting that he would continue with the DP and see how it would go within a year.

In the end, Sean navigated this demanding path successfully.

People around Sean saw him as a mature and level-headed student, so they knew he could face challenges along that road. For Sean, however, practicing the piano not only honed his skills; it sharpened his focus and taught him to think and maintain clarity, especially when making decisions.

Although Sean looks forward to studying history, economics, anthropology, or any other subject that interests him, the piano will always remain the most irreplaceable part of his life. Throughout this journey, he is guided by his desire to use music to connect people, bring them pure joy, and make a difference.

Being a ray of light for others

Whenever Keystone alumni recall their middle school days, they always talk about the friendships they forged and the precious moments they shared on campus. Now that Sean is about to graduate from high school, he looks back on the many memories he has made with his friends.

“I would like to thank my fellow Keystone students the most because they have taught me two important things: the pursuit of self and the yearning for freedom; and the building of character and the community atmosphere of tolerance for others.”

In boarding settings such as in Keystone’s residential program, students learn and live together, which often sparks bonds that remain even long after graduating from secondary school. Such friendship, in turn, shapes and enriches their personalities and lives. Also, in the Keystone community, students from different grades and their teachers celebrate the strengths, differences, and talents of everyone; they go beyond meritocracy based on academic performance. This promotes a diverse and relaxing environment that nurtures and recognizes everyone’s capabilities.

“Without each other, we would have been completely different people,” Sean continued. Throughout his time at Keystone, he has learned how to socialize with others easily and understood how it is to be conscientious and considerate of others. “We learn from each other. And so, I want to become a ray of light for others and make them feel warm with my energy. I believe that we can genuinely be happy for the achievements of others.”

In his previous school, Sean had little to no opportunity to make good friends because of his piano practice. After joining Keystone, he found an “environment of mutual encouragement” and has always appreciated the support of classmates and teachers who watched his performances. In addition, Sean has formed study and review groups with his classmates. Many of Sean’s classmates note how he is “strict with himself” yet “thoughtful of others”. Vivian Chen from the Keystone Class of 2023 shared: “Sean works hard to reach his goals. He often plans for everything he does. I rarely heard him complain during the college application season when our workload was quite heavy. Usually, when others talked too much, he acted on what needed to be done.”

Jessica Zeng from the same cohort appreciates Sean’s considerate personality, perseverance, and superb time planning. For her, Sean is a “gentle and rigorous artist” and a “confident musician” who is also very sensitive to the nuances of texts he studies, particularly Chinese poems and historical analyses. She added, “He seems to have reached a high level in many fields without too much effort. As his good friend, however, I know it was not easy for him. He gets up earlier than others to have more time to practice the piano. He prepares lots of notes for exams in different subjects. Despite these, he still finds time to exercise and relax, which I especially appreciate about him.”

Mr. Wenbin Jin, who is currently Keystone’s Director of the Performing Arts Center, has seen Sean’s growth at Keystone. More importantly, for Mr. Jin, Sean’s character has developed over the years since he first taught him in 2015.

“Sean has the artistic sensitivity of a musician,” Mr. Jin said of his mentee. “He has set a high standard for his performance and studies and shown that he can actually reach them. In learning music, there are no shortcuts because everyone takes the same road. It’s about making more efforts, because at the end of the day, all your achievements are fought out through time, sweat, and even tears.”

Mr. Jin also noticed how Sean supported others along the way while developing his capabilities as a musician. “Even when Sean was pressed tight by his practice schedule, he would never say no if he needed to appear or support a classmate’s drama play or performance. Afterward, he would work silently overtime to keep up with the original schedule.”

Long-time Keystone teacher Feng Qiongqiong believes Sean’s growth exemplifies the saying, “the stronger, the gentler”. For her, Sean is not a typical academic overachiever; instead, he has grown from being an ordinary student to an outstanding and confident young person.

“Sean’s story sends an important message to teachers and parents that children need support, encouragement, and constant constructive feedback,” Ms. Feng shared. “A child’s academic performance is enhanced by well-developed learning abilities and personality. In other words, whether it is learning the piano or any other academic subjects, the goal of education is always about developing people.”

The details of every note

“From the perspective of music, I see some details in history. As a music learner, I want to improve my ability to play and continue to explore and learn about various subject areas with my curiosity and thirst for knowledge. Doing so will make me a more comprehensive learner, deepen my understanding of music, and enrich my inner self.”

-- Sean Chang

In November 2022, internationally renowned pianist Chen Sa came to Keystone and gave a master class to students, which was livestreamed to over 5,000 people. Sean attended performed Chopin’s Ballade No. 4 in F minor, Op. 52 in the session.

At the event, Ms. Chen likened playing the piano to “refin[ing] a musical work as a work of art in the space of sound … present[ing] the best state for every detail”. Sean set his goal in this direction.

Indeed, a “successful” performance comes from efforts that are beyond imagination. It can be argued that playing with a steady rhythm, having a good judgment of tone, and staying true to the score are all essential technical details for an excellent performance. Moreover, a warm response from the audience, a sold-out concert, and rave reviews from pundits give validation to musicians. But for Sean, it is the satisfaction that musicians feel whenever they go on stage that makes for a “successful” performance, and this pleasure often comes from the hard work they put in countless hours of practice. Also, nothing beats the delight it brings him when he can interpret the piece freely and calmly, without the pressure of expectations.

Yale School of Music professor Boris Berman describes that phenomenon as a moment of “beautiful feeling for music”, and “one of the greatest rewards” that virtuoso artists freely expressing their emotions on stage can have. “When such a moment comes,” he continued, “the performer will have a beautiful feeling for the emotional identity of music.”

Professor Berman, who taught Mr. Jin at Yale, went to Beijing in 2017 and gave several master class sessions, including a piano recital at Keystone. Sean sat in the audience in all of Professor Berman’s performances in the city. Now, as an incoming Yale student himself, Sean will find more opportunities to listen to the professor, and of course, explore many other disciplines that interest him. He believes the skills he has developed from learning music, particularly the “ability to focus on the big picture and be careful with the details of every note”, can be transferred to any discipline.

So far, Sean is interested in history, a subject that he developed a liking for in Grade 7. For him, music and history are so closely related that the two can be almost perfectly integrated. He was fascinated by the freedom and possibility of interpretation in history and music. In an internal assessment paper for DP History class where Sean analyzed the influence of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3 on Nazi Germany ideologies, he was so mind-blown to learn that the work meant “to commemorate freedom in one era [was used] to consolidate a dictatorship a century later.” Meanwhile, in a paper for his math class, Sean explored “the emergence of micro-tones in modern compositions” to come up with what he called “mathematical engineering of sounds” as a new perspective in composing music.

Sean discovered early that he became more comfortable with learning, especially when he applied to other disciplines the rigor and precision that piano training required of him. Combining that with his innate curiosity and eagerness to learn, Sean has found just an accessible way for him to connect different disciplines and understand music from various perspectives. Moreover, it allows him to imagine a future where he can devote himself to an artistic expression unlike any current form of music and find a new way to create and expand the possibilities of music. This seems to fit with the concept of a “complete musician”[2] advocated by Joseph W. Polisi, who was once the President of The Juilliard School.

“The 21st-century artist has to be an effective and active advocate for the arts in communities large and small around the nation. These artists must be not only communicative through their art, but also knowledgeable about the intricacies of our society – politically, economically, socially – so that they can effectively show the power of the arts to a nation and its people.”[3]

——

What is an opportunity? Someone once said that when the wind of luck blows, only those who are ready to set sail with it can finally reach their dream port.

But rather than grasping the goals within a hand’s reach, it is more important to encourage students to find the more ambitious ones in the ever-changing world, and even create and reach the ones that do not exist yet. As Achille-Claude Debussy said, “… [dream] of an imaginary country, that’s to say, one that can’t be found on the map.”

--

Translated by Allen Zhu

Edited by Andy Pe?afuerte III

Special thanks to Vivian Chen, Feng Qiongqiong, Jin Wenbin, Malcolm McKenzie, Percy Jiang, and Jessica Zeng for providing insights and background information for this profile article.

References

The Economist. (2019, December 18). How China made the piano its own. Retrieved from The Economist: https://www.economist.com/christmas-specials/2019/12/18/how-china-made-the-piano-its-own

Page, T. (1986, November 9). Where Music Is Everything. Retrieved from The New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/1986/11/09/education/where-music-is-everything.html

Polisi, J. W. (2011, April 22). The Joy of Artistic Expression, Then and Now. Retrieved from University of Connecticut: https://today.uconn.edu/2011/04/the-joy-of-artistic-expression-then-and-now/#

[1] The Economist, 2019

[2] Page, 1986

[3] Polisi, 2011