By Magnolia Wang ‘19, Arts and Entertainment Section Editor

Growing up in a conventional Chinese household, practicing the piano was more than a hobby; it was a lifestyle. Part of my Chinese culture was to remain studious and engage in playing musical instruments. My sister is a very talented vocalist, and naturally, my parents put a lot of pressure on me to uphold the same standards. Everyday, I dreaded my practicing sessions, but as I saw my mother’s finger point to the imprisoning piano, my freedom escaped.  I didn’t understand why I needed to play it; I was merely obeying my parent’s wishes. I was horrendous at playing, and in a way, I didn’t (and still don’t) think my short, stubby fingers allowed for such arbitrary movements. I still can’t do a one-handed octave! Playing piano required one to follow every note of someone else’s piece, not their own. But my growing loathing for piano sparked the hunt for a new instrument to play.

At that time, my younger sister was playing the flute, and I thought that the graceful vibrato of a violin’s sound would be a perfect accompaniment. To me, playing the violin revealed an entire new dimension of music-making. There was no set ‘key’ for me to press, no guarantee of playing the right pitch. I could control how long I could hold the note. The violin presented challenges, but granted me the flexibility I craved. Even the gestures I could make whilst playing felt liberating. While my bottom had to be glued to the seat when playing the piano, performing pieces on the violin allowed me to stand and sway my body to the rhythm of the music. The violin only has four strings–but I quickly learned to move my fingers up, down, right, and left, shifting positions. Violin provided that opportunity for me to put my own soul into the music.

During stressful periods, especially around exam time, I’ve counted on the violin as an outlet to help me relax. Whether it was a “Let It Go” Frozen cover, or a classical Mozart concerto, I realized that the graceful sounds the violin emitted were graceful, and were very effective in getting rid of my nerves. Playing the violin not only is my favorite way to relax, the instrument has encouraged me to reach out and collaborate with others. In a recent talent show, I performed a duet on “I Knew You Were Trouble” by Taylor Swift with my childhood friend. And ever since middle school, I’ve joined in on orchestral quartets, trios, and chamber orchestra groups. As chamber music aficionados, we’re all very engrossed in the music, and this appreciation is what binds us together.  Now, as I lead the First Violin section in Newark Academy’s Orchestra, I thoroughly enjoy allowing my emotions to flow along with the voice of the violin, and I certainly feel this outpour from my fellow violinists and also from our engaging conductor, Ms. E.

Most importantly, playing the violin has helped me to reconnect with my own roots.  The violin is a close relative of the Chinese mandolin, and it wonderfully replicates the graceful tones of traditional Chinese folk songs. When it came time for me to pick a senior solo to perform in orchestra, I immediately flipped to the “Jasmine Flower” page of my songbook.  Practicing and rehearsing the song brought me back to the days when I played in Chinese New Year celebrations, in front of family and friends. And this past Wednesday, I suited up in a qipao–a traditional Chinese dress–to play my solo. As I performed in front of Newark Academy parents, peers, and alumni, the room filled with enthusiasm and excitement, I experienced the very same enlightenment that brings me back to childhood.