IMPROMPTU by Tymarra Sherrill
Jerry Xiong
VIOLIN
Moving away from home is usually a tricky task for young adults , but First Violin Jerry Xiong was courageous enough to leave his home in Guangzhou China at the young age of 15 .
“ There was an international exchange program for students in China ,” Jerry explained . “ I had to pass a language test and pass an interview . I was granted a one-year student visa and put with a host family . I liked it so much , I applied for a different visa to continue my studies .”
With parents almost 7,000 miles away and strict policies with traveling to China , Jerry has been lucky enough to create a sense of family here in Baltimore with his new fiancée , Lily , and their two cats , Oreo and Mochi !
“ I met Lily while we were both pursuing undergraduate degrees at Oberlin College . I ’ m glad to have someone to spend my days with , someone who accepts me at my worst .”
“ I love my cats ; I devote a lot of time to them . They even have their own Instagram (@ catmusicians ). After work , you can find me playing with them , maybe even sniffing them .”
Jerry joined the BSO just before the pandemic and just like most of us , he revisited one of his favorite childhood hobbies , playing board games ! It was through family that Jerry found joy in sitting around the table and engaging in a little friendly rivalry .
“ I ’ m not competitive at all ,” he persisted . “ I developed a liking of board games with my host family when I came to the United States . They would play them a lot during the holidays . Seeing everyone get together like that is very satisfying and it makes me extremely happy .”
But much like playing the violin , Jerry developed his chess skills very young . He even vividly recalls a youth chess tournament he competed in . No longer interested in competing , the game is purely entertainment for him and a means of decompressing .
“ Chess is very relaxing — when I ’ m playing , my mind is completely clear . Admittedly , it ’ s a great distraction from too much music !”
MITRO HOOD
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