Artist of the Week

Ruxin Zhao ’10: Active Member of the Kent Musical Community

By Adam Straub, courtesy of Kent News

Ruxin “Michelle” Zhao ’10, a relatively new addition to Kent’s musical program, has been doing all she can to contribute to concerts, recitals and other performances during her two short years at Kent. Zhao was been playing the piano since she was six years old, when her mother asked her to choose what instrument she’d like to play. She originally wanted to play the cello, but ultimately chose the piano because with the piano, more so than with other instruments, she would be able to play beautiful solo pieces. From this very young age, Zhao practiced diligently: she would work on her pieces for two hours per day. “Where I grew up in China, most kids were learning to play the piano. About three fourths of the kids in my middle school played,” said Zhao. This number, however, steadily decreased over time; four kids out of her class of forty permanently stuck with the instrument.

Her piano lessons were based on a system of ten levels; by her eighth grade year, she had already reached the tenth level and taken the graduation test. At this point, like many other kids, she debated whether or not to continue playing. Most kids stopped mainly because they’d rather have free time; this was not a factor in Zhao’s decision. “I didn’t want to feel that all of the time I had spent learning to play the piano over eight years would be wasted,” said Zhao. Even though she had increasingly time-consuming school work, she continued to practice piano, albeit for shorter amounts of time. Having reached the tenth level, she thought she had finished with traditional lessons until she discovered that there was an eleventh level: professional. This is what she worked on for her first two years of high school before she came to Kent.

After coming to school here, many of her friends warned her that she wouldn’t have time to do all that she wanted, so she hesitated from continuing piano during her first term. During last year’s winter term, though, she went to a recital which brought back childhood memories of practicing. Soon after, Mr. Emerich, the Music Department Chairman, heard her playing in a practice room and recommended her to Ms. Nuller for lessons. Now, Zhao is an active member of the Kent musical community. She is the pianist for the Dixie Band, she accompanies the choir and solo artists in chapel as well as the orchestra and all of the concert bands. Additionally, she often performs in recitals and chamber concerts, playing solo pieces and sometimes accompanying other musicians.

Anyone can learn an important lesson from Zhao: it is important to stay determined, to be focused, and to be unwilling to spend precious time unwisely. Furthermore, the Kent community can look forward to enjoying Zhao’s music until she graduates this spring.