Crystal Jin (12) describes classical music a as “close friend” whose personality she is endlessly discovering.

“Most people think that classical music is boring, but I don’t think that’s so,” she said. “I think they’re possibly listening to the wrong thing, or they don’t pay as much attention to it. I guess it’s just surprising because you don’t expect what comes next as much as in pop music, because pop music is more repetitive and standard.”

Crystal has been participating in orchestra since sixth grade, when she first started learning how to play clarinet. This year, she is clarinet first chair and the co-principal clarinetist.

“I like playing in a group because I don’t want to be heard, I just like playing music,” she said. “It’s the experience of playing in a group that’s fun because everyone has a different part, and it just blends together to sound nice, and it’s a whole thing rather than just a piece.”

Although she plans to study computer science in the future, Crystal is certain she will continue to avidly listen to classical music.

“Because there are so many genres, because there’s so many periods—classical, romantic, whatever—each song is a different mood,” she said. “For example, Chopin’s piano music relaxes me on the most part, or some of it is really passionate, and then it’s kind of like a catharsis.”

Similar to following the tempo of a piece, Crystal prefers to go along with the rhythm of life and take things as they come.

“I don’t think I live by anything because I go with the flow,” she said. “It saves time because you’re not thinking through everything that you do, and I also think it saves stress because you’re not stressing about everything, you just accept things the way they are.”

Although Crystal described herself as “a more passive person,” she aspires to become more open minded.

“Take opportunities, but I feel like being passive isn’t necessarily a bad thing because you’re not so driven that it’s scary and taking up your life,” Crystal said. “You should also not be too passive. You need to find a balance.”

In junior year, her friends persuaded her to venture outside her comfort zone and participate in the annual dance production.

“I feel like I should have done dance show earlier. Before I was scared to try it because I’m horrible at dancing—like you have to show everyone on stage your dancing skills, and I don’t want to do that—but I did it last year and it was really fun,” she said. “Just try it out because it’s really really fun, even if you can’t dance. Just go for it.”

Despite her natural passive character, Crystal finds that something foreign to her is not always too daunting to be enjoyable.

“Once I’m in the process of starting a new thing, I really like it—usually,” she said.