Uniting passion and purpose

Year 2 student HUANG Chao Hung has two diverse passions. First, he likes to organise big messy data into concise information with visualisation, an interest he discovered when he participated in various competitions, including the Shell STEM Youth Innovation Challenge, the National Science Experiment (NSE) Big Data Challenge and the NUS Industrial Systems Engineering and Management (ISEM) Business Analytics Case Competition.

Second, he found his passion in music when he started playing the double bass in his school’s Chinese orchestra, concert band and string ensemble. From there, he discovered the evocative links between music and emotions. It has always intrigued him to “find out how composers created such emotions through music.” 

The College of Humanities and Sciences (CHS) allowed him to bring together his passions. He is currently reading a Major in Data Science and Analytics under the Faculty of Science and a Minor in Music and Society offered by the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music. This semester, Chao Hung also took courses from the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) and the School of Computing (SOC).

As the current President of NUS’ Chinese Orchestra, Chao Hung oversees its weekly rehearsals, and plans for concerts, events and projects as well as the welfare of its members.

In both academics and his CCA, he says, “I get to meet people from various faculties with different interests and proficiencies…which allows me to experience campus life academically and non-academically. This is what makes university life memorable and fulfilling for me.”

He adds, “I like Chinese Orchestra as it allows performers to move and express through music. I also enjoy spreading its vibrancy to the audience.” He hopes to continue his musical journey by playing the double bass for Chinese orchestra.

He is especially proud of being part of NUS’ Chinese Dance and NUS’ Chinese Orchestra “Journey to the East 东游记”, a vibrant arts outreach programme crafted by NUS’ credit-bearing arts groups for graduating Primary Six students. Witnessing the appreciation of the students is the highlight of his CCA leadership experience.

Chao Hung aspires to be a data analyst when he graduates. And while his minor may not appear to be immediately relevant, he believes that music composition will boost his personal growth.

He says, “Music also opens up a fresh vista of career opportunities. It may surprise me in the future to discover how music knowledge can come in helpful, for instance, for a career in the music Artificial Intelligence (AI) industry sector.”

“Don’t give up on your passions,” he says, as one never knows how these passions may open doors to a dream career in the future. 

And his advice for students? Never be afraid to try introductory courses in NUS. It is an important process of self-exploration, he says, “one that we should continuously do throughout life.”