At the Stand: A Conversation with Alexander Jin
A Conversation with Alex
Alex has been part of the Cremona family for years, and his joyful presence has meant more to this studio than he probably knows. As a violinist, he's performed as concertmaster and soloist with his youth orchestras — building a quiet but remarkable career as a young musician. This fall, he heads to Johns Hopkins University to pursue law. We're so excited for what's ahead — and honored to share his story here.
Music has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. My older sister played violin before I did, and when I was little I basically wanted to do everything she did. My mom also encouraged me to try it, so I started violin when I was seven years old. At first, I don't think I fully understood what I was getting into; I just wanted to be like my sister. But over time I started to enjoy the challenge of improving, performing, and sharing music with other people. What started as following in someone else's footsteps eventually became something I genuinely loved for myself.
I'd say I'm pretty easygoing. I like to joke around and make people laugh, and I'm usually not the most serious person in the room. At the same time though, I'm someone who gets invested in the things I care about. I also love naps, which I take in between trying to balance school, activities, and everything else. I enjoy spending time with friends, trying new things, and finding ways to make even stressful situations a little more enjoyable.
It's hard to choose just one accomplishment because high school has given me opportunities I never imagined having. I've had the chance to perform at Carnegie Hall, place in international violin competitions, qualify for FBLA Nationals, and be nominated for the Presidential Scholarship. Looking back, though, I'm most proud of the work behind those accomplishments. None of those things happened overnight. They came from years of practice, preparation, failures, and learning how to keep moving forward even when things didn't go as planned. The growth behind the achievements means more to me than the achievements themselves.
The growth behind the achievements means more to me than the achievements themselves.
Honestly, one of my biggest challenges has been learning how to stop procrastinating. I've definitely had moments where I thought, "Future Alex can deal with this," and then future Alex ended up regretting that decision. Over time, I've learned that motivation doesn't magically appear; you usually have to start working before you feel motivated. I've realized that discipline is a lot more important than inspiration, and that progress comes from consistently showing up, even when you don't really feel like it.
Motivation doesn't magically appear — you usually have to start working before you feel motivated.
Music has taught me patience more than anything else. Improvement on an instrument is slow, and sometimes you spend weeks working on something before it finally clicks. Learning to trust that process has helped me become more patient with myself and more willing to stick with difficult challenges. Music has also taught me confidence. Whether it's auditions, competitions, or performances, I've learned that growth usually happens when you're willing to be uncomfortable and take risks.
One moment that stands out is performing Saint-Saëns Violin Concerto No. 3 with the Youth Philharmonic after winning the concerto competition. Getting the opportunity to perform a concerto with an orchestra is something many young musicians dream about, so it felt incredibly special. I spent countless hours preparing for that performance, and being able to walk on stage and hear the orchestra behind me was an unforgettable experience. It was one of those moments where all the years of practice felt worth it, and it reminded me why I fell in love with music in the first place.
I have a lot of interests outside of music. Debate has been one of my biggest passions because I enjoy analyzing arguments and discussing complex issues. That interest is a big part of why I'm interested in law. I also enjoy tennis and swimming. Outside of school and activities, you'll probably find me watching anime, reading manhwa or comics, or playing Pokémon or some other games.
I'll be attending Johns Hopkins University this fall. I'm excited about the academic opportunities, meeting people from different backgrounds, and exploring new interests. Mostly, however, I'm looking forward to the independence that comes with college. It'll be a chance to challenge myself, discover new passions, and figure out who I want to become over the next four years.
Right now, I'm planning to pursue a pre-law track, with the goal of eventually becoming a lawyer. I've always enjoyed critical thinking, problem-solving, and advocacy, which is what first drew me to law. While I know my plans may evolve as I learn more, I'd love to attend law school and build a career where I can make a meaningful impact on others.
Without a doubt, I'm most grateful for my family. They've supported me through every lesson, rehearsal, competition, performance, and late-night practice session. They've celebrated my successes, encouraged me through disappointments, and sacrificed a lot to give me opportunities that I wouldn't have had otherwise. None of my accomplishments would have been possible without them, and I'm incredibly thankful for everything they've done for me.
My biggest piece of advice is to keep showing up. You don't have to be perfect, and you don't have to be the most talented person in the room. What matters is consistency. The people who improve the most are usually the ones who keep working even when progress feels slow. Don't compare your journey to someone else's; just focus on getting a little better every day.
As for music, I hope people can hear something genuine when I perform. Music has a unique ability to connect people across different backgrounds and experiences. If someone walks away from a performance feeling inspired, comforted, or simply understood, then I feel like I've done well.
Don't compare your journey to someone else's — just focus on getting a little better every day.
