A subtle smile crosses Andrew Tang (12)’s face as he surreptitiously sneaks up behind his seated friend outside of the Auxiliary Gym just after school. As Andrew looms behind him, his friend suddenly starts in a shock and his face breaks into an expression of surprise before the two break out in full-blown laughter. 

Ask any senior in the halls what words come to mind when they think of Andrew, and one might get answers like “sarcastic,” a “goofball” or the classic “funny”. Close friend Daniel Jang (12) remarks upon Andrew’s unique sense of humor and the easy levity that he brings to his friendships.

“He’s a character,” Daniel said. “I haven’t met anyone quite like him. He makes people around him laugh, and he’s always able to put a smile on people’s faces. He’s fun to be around, and he’s always willing to do something fun.” 

In addition to his good-humored antics, Andrew’s friends recognize how he brings maturity, support, and a listening ear to a friendship. Those who have known Andrew for years are familiar with sophisticated facets of him that can surprise and escape the eyes of others 

“He is very mature,” friend Brandon Zau (12) said. “He has this deeper understanding of who you are, and he provides a lot of moral and emotional support. I’ve seen him develop into a leader and somebody who can really handle conversations that typically I wouldn’t see a lot of my other friends have. That’s really special, and that’s something I really admire about him.”

Andrew works to uplift those around him, whether by supporting them emotionally or by bringing laughter and smiles to their faces. But beyond the humorist that so many know, Andrew developed into a dedicated musician as cellist in the school orchestra but also in participating in an extracurricular chamber group. Andrew played the cello for over 10 years, cherishing it as a respite from the demands of his academic activities.

“Playing the cello is refreshing after a day of being at school,” Andrew said. “It uses a different part of your brain — it’s like a puzzle piece finding all the other fingerings and what to do. I can forget about all my schoolwork and think about something else. It’s fulfilling to play well.”

Following a difficult period where his instrumental skills plateaued, Andrew rediscovered his enjoyment of the instrument at a cello summer camp that he participated in after sophomore year. There, he forged friendships with fellow instrumentalists, and his experiences with them inspired him and motivated him to rekindle his relationship with his cello.

Despite the ups and downs Andrew experienced with the cello, he grew to take joy in playing the instrument. As he traced his path over the past decade, Andrew noted the pleasure he initially found in the cello and how he faced difficulties while he maintained his enjoyment of music. 

“In the beginning, learning the cello was really fun,” Andrew said. “Once you get to a certain level, it stagnates, and you stop really getting better. It was a tough time for me around ninth grade. But after that, I’ve discovered the community with it and also started getting better. I’m in a pretty good place right now.”

Now, Andrew embraces the cello as one of his favorite activities, often practicing for over an hour daily. When reflecting on his cello career, Andrew observes how he learned from and developed through the difficulties that he faced. 

“The stagnant period where I felt like I didn’t really care about the instrument and was going through the motions was challenging,” Andrew said. “Motivating myself to practice is hard sometimes when there are other things to do. But going through the motions is a waste of time because I gain nothing from that, whether that’s for cello or school.”

Those around Andrew notice the joy he takes from music and the meaning that he discovered in the cello. Andrew’s adviser, Michael Acheatel, noted the progress that Andrew made and the sense of self-confidence he gained throughout his high school journey.

“He has found things that he’s passionate about,” Acheatel said. “He’s obviously passionate about music. When he came as a freshman, he was going through the motions. He’s definitely found a sense of what drives him. I see someone who is confident and motivated about his future.”

The cello taught Andrew to always put forth his all and to recognize the opportunities — both academic and instrumental — that can so easily pass by. His experiences have made him mindful of the regrets that one can leave behind. Resolute in his aspiration to live life to the fullest, Andrew now aims to look only to the future, living as much as he can in the present.

“I can be upset at myself because my performance was not as good as I knew I could play,” Andrew said. “But it’s motivating, knowing that you already had experiences where you thought you could do better. I care about the moment more, how much fun I can have. I’m trying to do what I like and have fun, making sure I don’t have any regrets.”