Scarlett's Musical Journey

Behind the Offers

Welcome to the final issue of our "Behind the Offers" series for this year. While this marks the end of our coverage on the offers from the graduating class, it by no means signifies the end of the stories surrounding this year's cohort. We have more exciting content planned in various forms to share with you soon. Since last October, we have introduced over 40 students from diverse disciplines and fields such as Economics, Arts, Business management, Natural sciences, Engineering, Humanities, Music, etc. They have demonstrated diligence, excellence, talent, and resilience. Each and every student, not just those featured in our articles, but all the graduates of DHSZ, has had their own unique and remarkable journey during this vibrant summer. As a teaser, we are delighted to announce that the graduation ceremony for the Class of 2023 will take place next Thursday, 15 June. “Proud Parents” are invited to witness this momentous occasion, which will also include a piano solo performance. Let's dive into the story of this talented musician.

During her time at Dulwich International High School Suzhou, Scarlett J's life was filled with the vibrancy of music. From the moment she stepped onto the campus, her talent on the piano began to resonate. Whether it was crafting melodious tunes or flawlessly performing technically challenging pieces, Scarlett's performances showcased her wholehearted dedication and innate musical talent. Her fingertips danced across the keys, composing magnificent movements that belonged to her.

♪ Being Innovative Brings Surprises

Scarlett received offers from various US universities, including the Performance Arts and Technology at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, the Composition at MI College of Contemporary Music, Composition at California College of the Arts, Indiana University-Bloomington, and Arizona State University. Eventually, she chose to attend Michigan State University, Ann Arbor.

Both music and art were passions of Scarlett, so in her portfolio submitted to Michigan State University, she paired a music composition centered around "utility poles" with her own animated creation. She believed that it was this unique work that made her stand out. Initially, she had leaned towards applying for a music major, but Michigan State's acceptance response indicated that they recognised her multiple talents in music and art. Based on that, they recommended the "Performance Arts and Technology" discipline to her. When she discovered that this major was an amalgamation of music, art, technology, and business, she was pleasantly surprised, feeling that it was a program tailor-made for her. 

Ann Arbor is ranked 25th in the US News national rankings, and its "Performance Arts and Technology" falls under the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance, integrating research in music, engineering, and related arts. With its strong professionalism and comprehensiveness, the program sets a high threshold, making it difficult for international students to match. Scarlett mentioned that she was the only Chinese student studying this major this year, and the entire music school admitted only six Chinese students!

Although love is a great driving force, Scarlett has also experienced periods of confusion. She questioned herself, "Why am I studying music?" However, it was the music itself that helped her break free from her confusion. "I accidentally heard a song by my favorite Japanese band. The lyrics depicted a dream-filled dancer gracefully dancing on the day of the apocalypse." The imagery conveyed by the melody and lyrics rekindled Scarlett's power to pursue her dreams. She documented this inner journey in her personal essay for college applications and received tremendous support from her counsellor Ms Alison Crozier. Scarlett stated that she did not deliberately cater her personal statements to meet the schools' admission requirements; instead, she sincerely portrayed her own story and experiences. "I didn't want my essays to be too 'utilitarian.' A senior student suggested that I add an academic understanding section, but perhaps due to my rebellious nature, I wanted to show the most authentic version of myself. The university that admits someone like me must be the #BestFit for me!"

The "healing power" of music further solidified Scarlett's choice. She participated in an EPQ (Extended Project Qualification) project titled "Music Therapy for Teenagers with Autism," which focused on using music to heal children with autism. When facing these children, she discovered that language was not always the only tool for communication. Music had the potential to open their hearts. In the future, Scarlett will continue to pursue her music dream and harness its power.

♪ Talking About Growth♫

We see Scarlett's confidence and presence in various school activities, but Scarlett confessed that before studying at DHSZ, she was an introverted and shy person. It was the encouragement from her teachers that helped her take the first step bravely. "During Mr Mulliner's first music class performance, I completely missed a note while singing. I was very upset at that time and cried in the music room. But he told me that even though I missed that note, the rest of the performance was excellent. Since then, he has always encouraged me to participate in various activities."

Afterward, Scarlett became an active participant in various school activities. She was responsible for the overall music arrangement and control in the Chinese Drama Festival's "Kung Fu" performance, participated in regular performances of the musical band twice, and performed in the school anniversary and internal and external events. She also participated in the Model United Nations for four years and served as the leader in Y11. In the same year, she joined the Student Council and was responsible for organising activities.

Of course, growth is not achieved overnight. The first step requires courage, and after taking that step, Scarlett continued to explore and accumulate steadily. We can see countless "from 0 to 1" moments in her story. Scarlett recalled her first participation in Model United Nations in Y10. At that time, she didn't have much knowledge about the rules, but relied solely on the spirit of "the more wit, the less courage." The mistakes she made on-site motivated her to improve and delve deeper. In subsequent competitions, she continuously summarised and improved. When she participated again in Y11 as the leader, she was not only able to perform with confidence but also provided valuable experience to the entire team. During this period, the companionship of friends was the best support for her growth. "My good friend Elina witnessed all my experiences. When faced with my mistakes, she would point them out sharply and help me develop systematic plans, urging me to execute them."

Another experience allowed Scarlett to "see" the transformation of her mindset. She recalled that in her first year as a member of the band, participating in the school Founders Day’s performance, she was in a completely "anoxia" state. She felt immense pressure performing in such a grand occasion, and she thought the successful performance in the end was because of her luck. However, three years later, when Scarlett took the stage again for Founders Day, all she felt was relaxation and composure. "We naturally knew what to do in each step, and our cooperation was seamless without the need for words. At that moment, I could see my own growth as well as the growth of our entire band."

Now, Scarlett, with her rich organisational and leadership experience, has the ability to take on the role of overall coordinator for this year's graduation ceremony. From formulating plans to implementing and coordinating everything, her four years of diverse experiences will allow her to handle the responsibilities with ease, making it another highlight stage for her. With more buffs and inner growth, she has transformed from a reserved girl into a shining musician, artist, and leader…

♪ Advice for Lower School Students ♫

"First of all, academically, don't slack off. Be responsible for your own future. Maybe your energy doesn't allow you to excel in every subject, but you should focus on the key areas and find learning methods that suit you. Make plans in advance and be good at discovering learning resources.

“Secondly, when planning for the future, you can listen to the advice of your parents, friends, and teachers, but the most important thing is to have a clear understanding of what you truly love and what you are willing to sacrifice and dedicate to it.

“Lastly, cherish friendships and companionship in clubs and activities. Encourage and support each other, and try to challenge yourself and explore things that you are not good at. In this process, reflect on whether you are genuinely not good at something or if it's just a lack of confidence. Step out of your comfort zone and don't set limits for yourself, but don't put too much pressure on yourself. Find a balance that can motivate you."