“I despise a world which does not feel that music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy” – Ludwig van Beethoven
On October 22, the eminent Chinese composer Ye Guohui and the Czech National Symphony Orchestra played to a full house at the Shanghai Oriental Arts Center. The musical program was entitled "Hearing China: Ye Guohui and the Czech National Symphony Orchestra." Amidst the dozens of musicians onstage, there was a young girl dressed in purple. During the part of the performance featuring a children's choir, she sang a solo piece. Her name is Sun Jiayi, and she is a Year 3A student at YK Pao School.
Ye Guohui is a professor at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music. The concert held on October 22 was a special event - it was part of the 19th Shanghai Internationals Arts Festival organized by the Ministry of Culture and the Shanghai Municipal Government.
Sharing the stage with famous singer Liao Changyong
Eight-year-old Sun Jiayi sang together with Mr. Liao Changyong, a famous baritone singer and the vice president of the Shanghai Conservatory of Music.
Sun Jiayi singing together with Mr. Liao Changyong
Although she shared the stage with Liao and other musical masters, Sun Jiayi was undaunted. She admitted feeling slightly nervous, but she relieved this tension by looking into the audience. After the concert ended, she felt very excited. "I feel especially good after this performance," she said. "It made my courage grow!"
"Will you study at the Shanghai Conservatory?"
"No, I will stay at Pao School.
I think it's very good!"
Professor Ye lauded the splendid performance and invited Sun Jiayi to study at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music. But she declined his offer and told him: "I think Pao School is very good!"
Sun Jiayi praises many aspects of the Pao School educational experience. Teachers are friendly with students, and guide them to explore a wide range of subjects. Pao teachers have taught Sun Jiayi singing and other stage performance skills.
Primary choir
Pao School's whole-person education has opened up a new world for Sun Jiayi. In addition to joining the school choir, she has studied art, science and technology, and reached the finals in the Lego competition.
Sun Jiayi has also been a member of Pao School's football club since Year 1. It was her mother's idea to have her play football. Initially, Sun Jiayi was a little hesitant, but under the watchful guidance of the football coach, she has developed an affinity for the sport.
Sun Jiayi's mother says that her daughter likes painting as well as singing. Jiayi studied painting in Pao School's Extension Programs (EP), and also took a course called "From the Louvre Museum to the Forbidden City, which introduced her to some of the cultural differences between East and West. After the course ended, Jiayi told her mother: "The arts have the power to transcend national boundaries, and so does music. Therefore, I am able to sing both Chinese and English songs."
Sun Jiayi's mother says that Pao School's emphasis on cultivating cultural knowledge and an international perspective has a positive effect on students. As a result, parents begin to think about education differently. "I think many Pao School families have had a similar experience to us - and now look at education from a more global perspective," she says.
Pao School's patient guidance of students and cultivation of their character have made Sun Jiayi's mother think deeply about the educational process. She believes that education requires inspiration and guidance. "By simply having students write down their dreams on a card (Sun Jiayi dreams of being a painter and singer), the school helps students to think about what they want to do in the future," she said. "To be successful on the global stage, you need to think about who you are and what you want to do with your life."
Whole-person education at Pao School
Pao School President Wu Zijian attended the concert as a special guest. He enjoyed the performance, and provided friendly encouragement to Sun Jiayi. President Wu said that Sun Jiayi has grown as a person at Pao School, showing the success of the school's concept of whole-person education.
Pao School President Wu Zujian, Mr. Ye Guohui and Pao School Year 3A student Sun Jiayi
Developing whole-person education is one of Pao School's three missions. The school facilitates a learning environment that allows children to develop freely and comprehensively. Students participate in many learning activities at Pao School that cultivate their sense of social responsibility, strengthen their independence, and boost their teamwork and leadership skills.
