"Bernstein's Waltz."

On the evening before the YCIS Beijing graduation ceremony, we asked graduate Patrick Yulin Liu to name a piece of music that would describe his current state of mind. After a moment of reflection, he gave the above answer.

Leonard Bernstein, the renowned American conductor, composer, and pianist, boldly replaced the traditional 3/4 waltz rhythm with the irregular 7/8 time signature in Waltz, showcasing his revolutionary approach to classical forms.

"Waltz was written in an unusual way, but it sounds beautiful. It's an attempt to find a new way to express something old. I have always wanted to create a new path or approach," Patrick remarked.

Coincidentally, Waltz is the second movement of Divertimento, which Bernstein had composed to celebrate the centenary of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and Patrick will pursue a double major in economics and music at Boston College.

Patrick has loved music since he was a child. During primary school, he gained considerable stage experience by performing in vocal, piano, and clarinet recitals. When he visited YCIS Beijing with his parents in 2019, the school's vibrant artistic atmosphere captivated Patrick—"The corridors were often filled with the sound of violins". This inspired him to spend his secondary years at the school.

Like many children studying music in China, Patrick had focused on practising technically demanding works by Mozart and Beethoven before he entered Yew Chung. He first heard "unconventional music" in a class taught by Mr Gordon Robb, Head of Performing Arts.

"There's one music class I remember very clearly. Mr Robb played Charles Ives' The Unanswered Question. It's a very contemporary piece. I was completely shocked. At the time, it didn't sound like music to me because of the dissonance. The trumpet made some very awkward sounds," he recalled. "Then I realised there was an entire new world of contemporary music, and I tried to appreciate that kind of music."

He explored diverse musical genres, read extensively about music and musicians, discussed contemporary music trends with Mr Robb, and even tried composing.

Liu Yulin and Mr Robb performing together at the graduation ceremony

2019 was a pivotal year for Patrick: he was admitted to the Tianjin Juilliard School's Pre-College Program, which offers conservatory-style training for talented young artists. Every Saturday, Patrick commuted between Beijing and Tianjin for comprehensive training in clarinet performance.

In this demanding environment, Patrick realised that progress in professional music training does not correlate with the number of hours practised. Even the slightest technical error can significantly affect sound quality, and sometimes, success relies on a bit of "luck".

"Sometimes this kills a musician's confidence," he admitted. "I practise relentlessly for hours each day, but the results can be really disappointing."

In 2023, Patrick experienced a setback in a competition—he failed to enter the final round. This left him disheartened and wondering whether he should quit. However, teachers and friends encouraged him—and urged him to play lighter, more joyful pieces. In this environment, Patrick gradually rediscovered his passion for music, and he explored practice methods more suitable for him.

"The most important thing you learn from music is not from the music. It's from something else," he reflected, quoting a mentor's words.

Attending music summer camps in the US, Japan and elsewhere exposed Patrick to diverse regional approaches to music education

Patrick found the true joy of music after he joined a woodwind quintet. Previously, his practise sessions had focused each day on solo clarinet performance, honing his fingering techniques and breath control. In the quintet, however, Patrick always felt an undeniable sense of belonging once they started playing, even though the members often argued about the placement of the accents.

"When my sound blends with those of the other instruments, we create a kind of harmony. It's a wonderful feeling when sounds come together. I feel like I'm part of this big community," he recalled.

Performing with the woodwind quintet ensembles

Over the past six years, music has not only strengthened his social connections but also taught him life lessons that transcend music itself.

When performing, Patrick always tries to imagine the emotion portrayed in the music, and convey this to the audience. "Music is a universal language. It can convey so many things," he explained. "I've performed freely at community outdoor stages, and it feels incredible. When people appreciate my music, I feel I am sharing happiness with everyone."

His understanding of music's importance for society was partly inspired by Joseph W. Polisi's The Artist as Citizen. In this book, the former president of the Julliard School emphasised that artists should be transmitters of human values.

Left: Representing YCIS Beijing at an American Chamber of Commerce event
Right: The Pulse, the school podcast

At Yew Chung, Patrick's musical accomplishments were diverse. He performed in school musicals for five consecutive years; founded and hosted the first campus arts podcast, The Pulse; and represented the school at various external events. His proudest achievement, however, was launching a talent show for secondary students, and hosting five successful editions during the past two years.

"YCIS Beijing is a small but very warm community. People are close to each other. However, we needed opportunities like this to showcase different talents. So I organised this talent show. Some of my quieter peers, who are not very open to performing, were encouraged to participate and share their talents," he explained.

Organising the talent show was never an easy task. As the performance dates approached, some participants developed stage fright, and Patrick had to try to reassure them. Moreover, on the days of the show, unexpected timing issues required quick adjustments to the programme. Music is an art of listening. By organising the talent show, Patrick improved his ability to listen to diverse voices.

In conversation: Patrick and Mr Robb

As the interview drew to a close, we asked Patrick which musician he admired the most. He named another trailblazing composer: Igor Stravinsky. In 1913, Stravinsky's ballet The Rite of Spring premiered in Paris. Its rhythms and dissonance almost provoked a riotous audience reaction.

"Stravinsky wasn't afraid of failure. He wasn't worried about being judged. He simply followed his heart and created a new musical world," Patrick said admiringly.

Patrick believes that music will remain an integral part of his life forever. As he embarks on his journey to Boston, he is excited about exploring the possibilities of combining economics and music. He hopes that this new chapter in his life will deepen his musical sensitivity and creativity. Though Patrick's future after the next four years would be hard to predict, this young musician is looking forward to new adventures.

Patrick's journey exemplifies how comprehensive music education can shape not just artistic skills, but also character and leadership abilities. For students interested in exploring their own creative potential, YCIS Beijing's Creative Arts Department offers diverse programs that nurture both technical excellence and innovative thinking in the arts.