Underneath the illuminating glow of the stage lights, senior Kyle Li belts a soulful melody from his alto saxophone, his resonating sound soaring over the hum of the jazz band. Each rising and falling note blends seamlessly into the rhythm of the background music around him as his solo escalates to a climax and fills the concert hall.  

Kyle’s musical journey began at an early age with classical piano lessons, but he impulsively switched to the alto saxophone in eighth grade after realizing piano was not for him — a decision that became a key element of who he is. As a member of jazz band for all four years of high school, he finds joy in the energy of ensemble performances. Kyle values the collaborative aspects of it, whether it be intimately working as a small group in sectionals or playing altogether. 

“You get into jazz and big band, and it feels more energetic because playing by myself doesn’t give the same feeling as playing with friends or playing with a band,” Kyle said. “While in classical music, sometimes I don’t know where I am in the form, or what’s the point of the specific motif that I’m playing. But in jazz band, it feels like everything has a purpose.” 

As principal alto saxophonist, Kyle lends a helping hand and acts as a guide to the younger musicians, leading them through challenging excerpts and teaching them how to play cohesively as a group. His leadership especially shines through during sectional rehearsals, which is when each instrumental section of the ensemble separately branches off to practice.

“Since I’m lead now, it’s more important to practice, because I have to serve as a role model for the juniors and sophomores now,” Kyle said. “If I don’t know my part, they certainly don’t know what was theirs. Knowing my part is actually important, because it’s not just me that’s depending on me, it’s also other people.” 

Senior Atharv Goel, who has been in jazz band with Kyle since ninth grade, highlighted how Kyle is always willing to offer assistance. He appreciates Kyle’s unwavering support and ability to listen without judgment, offering support in difficult times. 

“He’s like a rock,” Atharv said. “You can always depend on him. I’ve had some tough situations in my life where I felt close to cracking, but then, I can always just depend on Kyle. I can tell him what’s happening in my life, and he is super helpful.”

Leading sectional rehearsals pushed Kyle out of his comfort zone, forcing him to take on the responsibility of being a mentor for his fellow alto saxophonists. Over time, he discovered a sense of pride in knowing his peers depended on him for guidance and inspiration.

“This year, especially, I’ve started taking on more of a bigger role in leading the band,” Kyle said. “It’s still scary for me at times because everyone’s looking up to me, and I have to be the one playing the right notes now, instead of me looking to someone else to play the right notes. But it inspires me because sometimes after practices, they say, ‘Kyle, we’re all listening to you.’ It’s fulfilling for myself, too.” 

With a musical background rooted in the rigid structures of classical music, soloing in jazz was at first a struggle for him, due to its complete musical freedom. Over time, nevertheless, he grew to love the risk-taking elements of jazz. 

“Soloing doesn’t have to be about you having to play some sort of cohesive melody,” Kyle said. “You can play as loudly and confidently as possible. It’ll actually still sound good. The note doesn’t work if you’re not confident.”

His willingness to take risks is reflected not only in his music but also in his scientific endeavors. This past summer, Kyle attended the Science Internship Program (SIP) at University of California, Santa Cruz. He conducted a research project regarding electrical engineering, an impulsive decision much like his switch to the saxophone. What started as a spur-of-the-moment choice blossomed into an inspiring experience.  

“It’s fun building stuff,” Kyle said. “It’s super cathartic and really interesting to try to solve real-world problems through research. You’re using electrical engineering on a nano scale for a biology application. That’s super cool. I was completely unaware I could do that.”

Close friend senior Jason Shim, who grew closer with Kyle at SIP, admires Kyle’s brave and risk-taking spirit. Jason remembers that he overcame his struggles of putting in contacts after being inspired by Kyle’s determination.  

“I saw him earlier as this mellow, laid-back guy,” Jason said. “But getting to know him, getting to test our bonds of friendship with these experiences, has really led me to understand that Kyle loves taking risks. It’s a key part of who he is, and our friendship wouldn’t be the same without this little element of risk.”

From devoting hours to meticulously perfecting the saxophone to tackling scientific challenges, Kyle puts forth considerable effort in all fields of his life. Close friend senior Agastya Ravuri, who met Kyle in advisory during sophomore year, admires Kyle’s dedication to band and research. 

“Kyle is a very honorable person,” Agastya said. “He cares a lot about doing the right thing. Kyle is the type of person when I do something, I try to ask myself, “What will Kyle do?” He sets his mind to things. He’s able to do them.” 

Beyond the influence Kyle leaves on his friends and fellow musicians, he desires to leave a legacy that impacts the greater community through his scientific research in electrical engineering. Whether it’s enhancing medical technology or developing mechanical innovations, Kyle sees his work as a way to make meaningful contributions to the world.

“I like knowing that the things I do can actually save lives, or advance technology in a way that can help a lot of people,” Kyle said. “That’s what inspires me. I don’t want to just live a happy life. I want to actually leave some impact on this world, but not just for me. I want to help improve other people’s lives.”