When thinking about who are the most passionate music lovers at CHS… wait, that gives us a whole lot of people. When thinking about who are the most passionate music lovers at CHS who play music themselves, we have one person in mind: Jin Kay Teo, piano and violin player, pop music lover, and Ferrari F1 fan all in one.
In his time between school and sleep, Teo could be found practicing violin or piano. Having grown up as a child playing music — and not being able to remember a single day when he did not practice — Teo will be continuing his passion for piano at every chance he gets. In the beginning, Teo was not into practicing and often wondered why he was going through this activity. Over time, however, he jumped over that hurdle into a giant, vibrant world.
“After that stage, music is just enjoyable,” Teo said. “It’s an ability that is very special because it has the power to inspire emotion in others, and that is a very special feeling to be able to do that.”
For Teo, music is not simply a hobby or a side gig. It is an entire lifestyle. His lifestyle of music has had him perform in six solo recitals each year since seventh grade. Through the years, Teo has seen how he has improved, with more and more experience each year. His senior recital, lasting over 45 minutes long, is his biggest accomplishment in high school. After having started piano when he was four, Teo cannot imagine a life without music, having practiced almost every single day for the past 13 years. That is commitment.
His love of music inspired Teo to create a YouTube channel in early 2018, now with 75 videos (and counting) of piano pop covers. With over 1300 subscribers, it is clear to see that his enormous obsession for Taylor Swift, BTS, Blackpink, Avicii, and other artists of pop is widely appreciated.
However, it is not just piano practice and arrangement for Teo, who is an avid Formula 1 fan. Waking up every Sunday morning at 6:00 AM to cheer for his favorite team, Ferrari, Teo is hands-down dedicated to the race.
“I’m just really interested in the driver and the skill aspect of it, but also the engineering behind it,” Teo said. “There’s also how you build the cars and the aspect of how you become successful as both a driver and a team. I think it’s unique in that way and that’s why I like it so much.”
His drive for Formula 1 Racing has been a reason why he is planning to go into engineering in college. In the future, Teo wants to major in either mechanical or aerospace engineering and minor in music. While he will not be going to college for the next two years, serving in Singapore’s military, Teo foresees himself coming back to the United States after two years have passed to attend college.
As a male Singaporean citizen, Teo is expected to serve in the military for two years once he turns 18 years old. After growing up in Singapore and moving to the US when he was seven, Teo is excited to go back home. When not at military camp, he will be living with his grandparents and be found practicing piano or arranging the music to Taylor Swift’s newest album.
While serving in the military is not what one may immediately think of doing after high school, it has always been expected for Teo, who has looked forward to going back to Singapore. In the next two years, Teo foresees himself becoming more fit and transitioning into adulthood. Although he is looking forward to traveling across the world, Teo has realized that he will miss the friends and life he has made for himself he has made in Claremont.
Before he leaves for a new chapter, Teo would like to shoutout his friends Rohan, Anthony, Caleb, and Reggie for always being there for him since the beginning of high school. He will be missed by his friends and family, but it is certain that Teo will land on his feet — and accelerate as fast as a Formula 1 driver in the future.