Ethan Choi ’26 is a four-year Senior from Diamond Bar, California. Choi has been a music student for four years and is currently enrolled in Honors Seniors Music Performance for piano. He is co-head of Blue Notes, co-captain of Boys JV Lacrosse, and a member of Boys Thirds Soccer. Choi is active on campus politically, working with the International Relations Society and The Review. This year, he is also a proctor in Garland.
How did you discover your passion for piano?
I grew up in a very musical family. My mom went to the Manhattan School of Music and graduated from the Curtis Institute of Music with a doctorate in piano performance. Every single day after coming home from school, I would have to listen to piano until ungodly hours of the night. My passion for music has always been with me, so I can’t point to an exact time when my love for the piano started. Many of the friends that I grew up with were classical musicians as well, and I even had a 30-hour Spotify playlist just for classical music.
How do you overcome stage fright when performing?
When I was young, I used to throw up before every performance. After some time, I realized that taking very slow big breaths and staring into a corner helped calm my mind. Something else I do is sing the piece in my head over and over again until I step onto the stage.
How has the school’s music program helped you develop?
The music program here has helped me develop as a musician by exposing me to unique opportunities. Without the school, I would never have gotten the chance to go to Europe or had the opportunity to perform at venues like Carnegie Hall. On top of that, being surrounded by such a talented, inspiring, and supportive music community has helped motivate me to be the best musician I can possibly be.
What is your most memorable music story?
I would say it would be winning the silver award of the Singapore International Piano Competition with a piece I had practiced for a very long time. Every time I sat down in front of the piano with that piece, I felt like I was in a lab, producing my own sounds, colors, and tones. I experimented with many different styles, ultimately creating a performance unique to me.
What advice would you give to current and aspiring musicians?
A musician can never be perfect, but they should strive to improve from their last performance. When you’re on stage, you need to be completely present and embody the musician you want to be. You can’t just play the notes in front of you; music is a form of identity, and to be a musician is to express oneself through their instrument and art.
