Elsa is currently a freshman student at Brandeis University (Boston)

Hello, I am Shiyan (Elsa) Lu, a graduating NQHS senior of the Class of 2024. I have been studying classical piano at EKS Music School ever since 2017. In the past years, I have been able to explore a wide range of compositions ranging from Mozart to Chopin with the help of my amazing teacher, Ms. Ellyses Kuan. With Ms. Kuan’s mentorship, I have been able to achieve significant improvements in my technique. Aside from techniques, my time at EKS has instilled in me an appreciation for the emotions and stories that are woven into each musical composition. From the simple yet delicate pieces that are the hallmarks of Mozart’s work to the dynamic contrasts in Chopin’s compositions, I have been able to delve deep into the complexities of musical interpretation. Through my lessons, I have developed fundamental musical skills that have allowed me to appreciate piano in its entirety, including the science behind it. Eighty-eight black and white keys, connected to small hammers that strike the strings above them to produce one of the most celebrated sounds in the world of music. Each of the hammers strikes a metal coil of various thickness, creating sound waves of different frequencies. These sound waves travel through some of the one hundred quindecillion atoms, all interacting with each other to make Earth the Earth we know. These waves then reach our outer ear, vibrating our eardrums that vibrate the cochlea. And only then are these vibrations turned into neural impulses that our brains can process. Next year, I will be attending Brandeis University, majoring in physics and chemistry and minoring in computer science and math. Although I will not be furthering my study in classical piano, I will remember the importance of patience and consistency that music has taught me, and will be applying them to my future studies in science.