Graduate Profile
Evelyn Huang Budding Anthropologist
Cultural Infusion graduate student who taught her for three years .
Once a Grand Palace Museum intern , Evelyn exudes a zest for all things cultural , native and foreign . Marked by a sense of belonging based in the memories of a childhood spent exploring and learning about China , Evelyn ’ s cultural background has colored her identity in myriad ways . “ In primary school , my father took me to explore China . A terrific storyteller , he especially liked reading to me about the Xia , Shang and Zhou dynasties , enriching my knowledge about Chinese history and understanding of our cultural traditions . My father would bring these stories to life by relying on his vivid imagination .”
Born , raised and educated in China , Evelyn ’ s parents have passed on to Evelyn their deep affinity for their Chinese roots , culture and heritage . Often , they would explore their hometown , visit museums and discuss the past , including the guqin ’ s 5000 year history and how this ancient seven-stringed zither is making a comeback . While her peers enrolled in piano and violin lessons , Evelyn cultivated a desire to study the guqin . As a result , her father engaged private guqin tutors for Evelyn , including a Central Music Conservatory
“ These three years were very crucial in helping me lay the foundation for my guqin playing . Mastering the guqin plucking is a complex endeavor and I am proud that I persevered . Occasionally , I play a song or just listen to the guqin to escape from reality and live the history of the song within its magnificent universe ,” she offered .
Chinese Thread Embodiment
When Evelyn gained an interest to study abroad at the start of junior high school , she considered joining Keystone for its blended education model , weaving the Chinese , American and international learning traditions . “ My perspectives started to change and my mother had also advised me to learn another way and not to worry only about home . I was prepared to get a taste of traditions different from my own as long as I would be able to continue to nurture my interest in Chinese culture . Without it , my life would be less ,” she shared .
Drawn to the wealth of opportunities Keystone offers for cultural exploration , experiential
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