TABLE OF CONTENTS
Eagle Scout - May 15th, 2019
I became an active member of Troop 290 in San Jose, CA in 7th grade, rather than from Cub Scouts (4th-5th grade). Many values and skills from scouting still hold with me today, including cooking etiquette, boating, environmental safety, and community service.
In 2018 I was awarded a position in the Order of the Arrow, and following my Eagle Scout, I went on to participate as the Acting Scoutmaster for the 2019 Troop 290 Camp Lassen summer trip.
The following are snapshots of the two most important events during my Scouting career: my Eagle Scout Project and my favorite camping trip to Philmont Scout Ranch.
Eagle Scout Project
My project, nicknamed the "Gold Rush Project", was tasked with restoring props and facades for Greystone Elementary School, San Jose, CA. These were originally used for the fourth grader's Gold Rush Day, designed as a fun interactive experience for students to partake in activities related to the Gold Rush. For parent volunteers, however, this required a clear set of guidelines for speedy set up/tear down, as well as future-proofing in terms of ease of construction and refurnishing damages.
Each portion of the project came with their own set of challenges, both hidden and known. I started designing this project in the summer before my senior year of high school, and spent 4 months planning out exactly what I needed, baking brownies and offering private martial arts lessons to fundraise what I needed for my materials.
With the help of other members in my troop, I successfully delivered the results in March of 2019. I donated the remainder of my fundraised money to the elementary school. Here are some images of the process and the finished results!
The General Store
Painting the First Coat
The Saloon
Drilling the Last Screws
Ma's Kitchen
Philmont Scout Ranch
12 days, 100+ miles, 11 people, no phone service. This was Philmont Scout Ranch, a High Adventures camp located in New Mexico, USA.
Beginning 6/20/2017, we embarked on this journey with steamed bagels and high hopes. By the end of the twelve days, I was happy to be alive and back at home base. The trip was filled with activities including rock climbing, horseback riding, .30-06 rifle and shotgun shooting/reloading, donkey racing, Atlatl spear throwing, and more. A once in a lifetime opportunitity!
Martial Arts
TaeKwonDo
I started training in Taekwondo in 2009 (roughly 3rd grade) at America's Best Karate (now Vision Martial Arts). I earned my Black Belt in February 2013, my Second Degree Black Belt in February 2016, and my Third Degree Black Belt in February 2019.
I began teaching martial arts in summer of 2015, continuing for a total 6+ years (including over Zoom during the COVID-19 Pandemic). I worked mainly at our Almaden studio, teaching students across a wide age range, and served as an acting Master Instructor at the Willow Glenn and Silver Creek locations as well. Teaching helped me explore my own talents, and built the basis of my public speaking and mentoring skills from an early age.
I also had the priviledge of leading our Demo Team, who performed martial arts at local elementary schools or at other internal events like Black Belt Testing and Leadership Seminars.
Some of the following videos contain copyrighted music and/or forms.
Credit has been listed appropriately.
Chu Mo Hyung
A traditional martial arts form, where in the Vision Martial Arts' curriculum is the Third Dan Black Belt Form.
Song: Ready Set Go - Royal Taylor ft. Capital Kings.
Totally Worth It
Over COVID-19, I took a media production class to fulfill a general elective, which gave me an opportunitiy to create a movie with my own music, sound effects, production, and editing. This featured my coworkers Arturo Martinez (antagonist) and Jet Lin (camera).
Chloe Bruce's Hyper Staff Form, Modified
Our studio's Demo Team used to be sponsored by Hyper Pro Training, and since having learned Chloe Bruce's staff form, it has been one of our favorites to perform.
I decided to add some of my own flair to the form, but without breaking the main structure. Credit to my coworker Jet Lin for recording the form in full!
Song: Kripton - Milan Stankovic
Master Mustafic's Form
Master Hyro Mustafic was my primary mentor throughout my journy in martial arts, and this performance was a representation of the bond between mentor and student(s). This performance also included the Demo Team. Recorded by my Mom at my Third Degree Black Belt Testing.
Song: Kripton - Milan Stankovic
Kama Form
The Kama(s) is a traditional Japanese tool, similar to sickles, but adapted as a weapon. For Third Degree Black Belt, the student must design a form of their choosing. Recorded by my Mom at my Third Degree Black Belt Testing.
Song: Hustler - Zayde Wolf
Gerald Lee Music
Making my own music. Listen on all major music platforms.
Piano
I began to play piano at a young age (as most Asian children do) under the late Steva Goff using the Suzuki Method. Ms. Goff always encouraged me to perform to my best, and over the years I found a love for playing the instrument. I earned a Certificate of Merit in the Guild Auditions, and performed in recitals at elderly homes and in concert halls.
The piano remains one of my favorite instruments, and I continue to practice and play. Enjoy the following recordings of my playing!
The Grand Finale: Senior Piano Recital - June 15th, 2019
- Nocturne in C-sharp Minor - Frederic Chopin
- The Island Spell - John Ireland
- Wedding Day at Troldhaugen - Edvard Grieg
- The Entertainer - Scott Joplin
Great recital, rushed a bit at the end, but ended strong with few mistakes.
I have played at this senior home quite often, but this would be the first time I had someone other than my parents record me. There was a man who went up to the front and began to record my playing; we found out afterwards that he thought I was a famous person (one of the highest compliments I have received about my playing).
Private Recital - May 4th, 2019
- Jazz Legato - Leroy Anderson
- Tarantella - Albert Pieczonka
In this private recital, almost everyone except the younger students messed up their song badly, to the point that some songs were abandoned mid-song. I was no exception, but its okay to make mistakes. It is part of the practice and learning experience.
I forgot the ending to Jazz Legato, so I decided to end it on the right chord. Tarantella on the other hand was difficult to save, and thus I accepted my losses and simply did my best to reset at certain parts and finished the song succinctly.
Home Recording - November 10th, 2020
- Dramophone - Caravan Palace (LyricWulf Piano Transcription)
I love to play ragtime or other jazzy songs, and this was a fun song to learn. This was a recording of my progress up to that point, which was not perfect (a few mistakes), and also not the full song (up to half). This was performed at a slower speed simply because of the difficulty of the song.
Credit to LyricWulf for the amazing transcription! Link to the sheet music HERE.
Brass
I played Brass since I was in 6th grade, starting off playing the trumpet in Wind Ensemble and in Jazz Band. In 10th grade, I began playing the euphonium for Wind Ensemble, and played trumpet for Jazz Band until 12th grade where I switched to trombone. Turns out, I was pretty good at low brass, and I had a blast playing in the pit orchestra for my high school's drama rendition of Chicago as Trombone 2, and in Jazz Band as the Bass Trombone.
Heading into college, I joined the UCI Jazz Orchestra as the "Bass Bone" and played for both Fall 2019 and Winter 2020 concerts. After being remote due to COVID-19, I was back for the Fall 2021 quarter as Trombone 2, and continued into the following quarters. I was also invited to play for others, participating in senior concerts and enjoying jazz with many talented musicians.
I haven't played brass since graduating with my bachelors degree, but there has always been an itch to play jazz again, and I hope to do so in the near future!
UCI Jazz Band Spring 2023
UCI Jazz Band Fall 2019
High School Graduation
Christmas with the Low Brass Section
Middle School Wind Ensemble
Other Paid Work Experience
Undergraduate Research Ambassador
For my final year in undergrad (2022), I landed this part time job with the UCI Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) with the goal to help mentor and motivate students and professors to participate and support undergraduate research endeavors.
Although this work was mostly creative and embedded with mentoring, office duties, and planning the Undergraduate Research Symposium, I had a great time attending other research events like engineering-based research symposia, hosting some workshops, tabling at small events, and pitching to crowds and lecture halls full of students.
I absolutely loved this job, my bosses, and my fellow research ambassadors, and have such good memories from working with the UROP team. I elevated my public speaking skills even further beyond my foundation from teaching martial arts, and continued to improve my customer service in another environment.
Galileo Group Instructor
The Summer of 2021, the summer after the worst of the COVID-19 lockdown, I had a fun opportunity to continue to teach kids but outside of martial arts curriculum. Serving as a Group Instructor for Camp Galileo Summer Camp, I developed the leadership skills necessary to succeed in a more fluid and less structured environment, all while staying masked up and COVID free.
I taught the Yellow Stars Group, campers ages 5-7, for seven weeks alongside phenomenal coworkers. I became affectionately known as the "Bee Man" due to the creation of my pipe cleaner bees and signature bee costume. A huge thank you to the staff and the campers for a great time!
