Princeton Virtual Arts Open House panel & Princeton music FAQ 🎵

Early this semester, the Princeton Office of Admission notified me that I had been nominated as a student panelist for the Virtual Arts Open House, a new program designed to offer prospective high school students greater insight into the vibrant Princeton arts community. I was honored to have the opportunity to share my experiences, which have only been positive and empowering. It was a special experience to sit before hundreds of eager, curious (and nervous) high school students as they prepared to embark on the next chapter of their lives! Everyone asked thoughtful questions, and I was glad to be of help.

I thought I would compile some of the most common questions I received below, along with my (deeply personal) responses:

• Can you take private lessons with faculty?
  Princeton offers 10 private instrumental or vocal lessons per semester, which are relatively accessible after a brief audition process. Financial aid and other subsidies (such as being a music major or a member of a departmental ensemble) can cover 50% to 100% of the lesson fees, which is amazing. Unfortunately, private composition lessons are not offered to undergraduate students. However, there are ample opportunities to engage with the amazing faculty through classes, ensemble participation, or simply by reaching out to express interest. As a junior this 24-25 academic year, I have finally gotten a chance to meet regularly with a faculty member, Steve Mackey, who is my Junior Paper advisor. I am writing a symphony for this independent work, and I am incredibly grateful to receive one-on-one guidance from Steve, whose music and character I admire deeply.

• I am torn between attending a conservatory and an academic university. How should I decide?
  It really depends on your career goals, dreams, and priorities. What you spend the most time doing ultimately shapes who you are. Princeton is incredible, but it can also keep you very busy, and you’ll spend many hours away from practice rooms and dance studios because problem sets and essays demand your attention. If fully dedicating yourself to your craft is your top priority, a conservatory setting may feel more fitting. If you’re confident in your ability to balance academics without losing sight of your art, a university can offer broader opportunities and open more doors.

• What are some music groups I can join on campus?
  Check out my overview youtube video! https://youtu.be/qXAJS9eZ4dY?si=2UkAvsGyF7CKaKW_

• How do you manage to stay involved in so many ensembles while keeping up with your studies?
  You will quickly realize how powerful the usage of your calendar app is! Every semester, I gain a better understanding of how time flows when you are on campus. Sometimes, an hour between classes isn’t nearly enough to get anything done, thanks to travel time, unexpected encounters, and other distractions. Other times, the thirty minutes before an orchestra rehearsal might be the most focused and productive you’ll be all week. With experience, you’ll develop a sense of when and where to schedule work for maximum efficiency. Time flies, so staying organized and planning ahead is key! I also make sure to take advantage of brief windows of downtime in the morning and afternoon, so that by the time my series of rehearsals starts (on several days of the week, I am in rehearsal from 4:30pm until 12am!), I have a few less things to worry about.

• I’m worried about the time commitment for some of these ensembles.
  That is a valid concern. Princeton academics are rigorous, especially with so much material packed into just 12 weeks per semester. But ensemble participation can only enrich your college experience! My advice is to try anything that sparks your interest, whether it’s a taiko group, a dance company, an a cappella group (shameless plug: how about the Footnotes?), or an orchestra. Just audition—you never know if you’ll get in anyway, haha. And when you do get in, you can meet wonderful people, potentially make lifelong friends, and gain a better sense of whether the group is the right fit for you. Over time, you can adjust your commitments as you refine your priorities at Princeton. (Fun fact: I made it to callbacks of Princeton’s first and only K-pop cover dance company, Koko pops.)