I've been playing the piano since I was young and composing since middle school. My parents are both amateur musicians who have always encouraged my musical exploits. In sixth grade, my father hooked up a synthesizer to my computer, and I used the synthesizer to write my first piece later that year. I did music throughout the upper school and studied piano and music theory at the San Francisco Conservatory.

It was both liberating and difficult. I came from Lakeshore Elementary School, a public alternative school next to Lowell. I met a lot of students I liked, but it was academically difficult. I had Ms. Busby in fifth grade, the first of many teachers at the Day School who focused on basic writing skills. SFDS taught me how to write. I wouldn't be where I am today if it weren't for teachers like Ms. Busby and Mr. Trapasso.

I was in the juggling club at SFDS, and I still juggle as a way to relax. I've been working on club juggling, which is much more difficult than ball juggling, because you have to rotate the club the proper amount, and it can hurt if you do that incorrectly. I juggle in my room, much to the chagrin of the people living below us.

I do a lot outside of music. At school, I try to explore the offerings of other departments; that was one of the reasons I chose Harvard. Right now I'm taking courses on Japanese literature and history, as well as a class on mathematics. During the summer, when I have more time, I also cook and play tennis.

The electronic music studio at Harvard has analog synthesizers from the 1970s. They have lots of dials and flashing lights; they look like they come from old James Bond movies. To make a sound, you have to plug in electrical cords, and a complicated sound may require 50 or 60 cords. It's very hands-on and a lot of fun.

The most valuable lessons related to writing. As I mentioned before, learning how to write changed the course of my academic career. When I got to Lowell, knowing how to write an essay was taken for granted, and a lot of the students from other school didn't have that skill. At the Day School, there was a powerful focus on basic educational skills that was very good; it provided a solid foundation in the three R's.
Kent Jue was great. I remember his classes, and I remember the music department at SFDS being very inclusive. The focus was on making music, not competing for prizes or honors. The philosophy that drove the music department stuck with me. I participate in competitions, but I'm interested in writing and playing music, not winning.

The competition was founded in 1992 and is open to all Harvard students. I was the second undergraduate to win the competition, which meant that my string quartet would be performed by the Ying Quartet, Harvard's quartet-in-residence. It premiered to considerable success in December. Even apart from the Blodgett competition, Harvard is very good at giving students professional performers; I've also had my work performed by the Auros Ensemble and the Non-Sequitur Ensemble.

It's a wonderful feeling; it's an honor and a privilege. I've been lucky to be involved with programs that allow for interaction with professionals. Talking to professional musicians is a good way to learn to about composing, particularly about the capabilities of different instruments.

I'm working on two pieces. One is an ten-minute minute opera for singers and cello called The Courting of Montebravado. The libretto was written by my roommate, a medieval history student. It's about a duke who wants to marry a fair maiden named Nippolette. The duke's uncle, an archbishop, wants him to marry an evil Venetian princess, however. The plot involves cross-dressing, a magic potion, accidental murder, and fast costume changes, and the music is spare, fast-paced, and dramatic. I'm also working on an orchestral piece for strings and percussion which explores untamed musical territory. I experiment with quarter-tone tunings (24 notes to the octave vs. the standard 12), string glissandi (slides), and more.

Whatever I can get my hands on. I love classical music, especially of the 20th century. My favorite ccomposers at the moment are Olivier Messiaen and György Kurtag, an amazing Hungarian composer. Indian classical music is a taste I inherited from my father—I love Ali Akbar Khan & Nikhil Banerjee. I also enjoy unusual rock, such as Mr. Bungle, and things my roommates listen to and play, such as Irish and Chinese folk music.

I didn't always know, and I wasn't convinced until I started college. Then it became clear. I realized that I enjoyed working with music more than the other things I was doing. I had such luck with getting my work performed that it was easy to pursue that path.

Probably grad school. I'd like to continue doing almost exactly what I'm doing now, so grad school seems like a good choice.

Don't stress out. The San Francisco high school application process is a real drag—perhaps worse than the college process, since you're so young. Don't worry about what high school you go to; any one you end up at will be fine, because the quality of your education has more to do with how you take advantage of your school's resources than the school's reputation. If you work hard, you'll succeed.