My name is Eliana Brebner-Baig and I’m a Pakistani-Kiwi. I’m 8 years old and a Year 4 student at Yew Chung International School of Beijing (YCIS Beijing).
What is your favorite extracurricular activity and why?
On weekends I like to do horseriding. It is my favorite thing to do because I get to be with animals.
When did you start? What about it interested you?
I started horse-riding in March because I really like horses. I also really like to groom and take care of the horses and get them ready for riding.
Does your family support your extracurriculars?
They drive me there and watch me ride. They let me try lots of activities and they like me to have fun!
Is it difficult to balance your schoolwork and extracurricular activities?
No, because my horse riding is not on the weekdays. During the weekdays I have school and I go riding on Sundays. I also do gymnastics and art classes. I like to do art and make things.
Do you think your extracurricular activities have helped enrich your life?
Yes, they have. I love horse riding and I have learned a lot about horses.
Will you continue to pursue it for the rest of your life?
Yes, because when I grow up I want to own a horse and live by the forest so I can ride my horse every day.
My name is Liu Qian Nan but everyone calls me Anna. I’m 7 years old and a Year 3 student at Yew Chung International School of Beijing (YCIS Beijing).
What is your favorite extracurricular activity, and why?
I really love music. My mom is Cui Jian’s and some [other]musicians’ manager, so she also really loves music. Since I was little, she introduced me to lots of different musicians and different kinds of music and got me interested in it too.
When did you start it? What was it that interested you?
I started learning piano three years ago when I was 4. I’ve also studied violin for two years and guitar for one year. I have an app called Guitar Tuna, that helps you tune your guitar and also has fun games! I can play maybe ten or so songs on guitar. I enjoy playing at concerts and stuff, but practicing is a little tiring.
Does your family support your extracurriculars?
My mom really supports my music. She’s the one who introduced me to lots of differzent musicians and bands and takes me to concerts. She pays for different music teachers, like my piano teacher and guitar teacher, and makes me practice (even when I don’t want to!).
Is it difficult to balance your school work and your extracurricular activities?
Yeah, kind of. I’m in Year 3 now, so I have more homework to do, like writing Chinese and doing math. I have guitar lessons at home on Friday and piano lessons near Sanlitun on Saturday. I also have other extracurriculars besides music, like tennis, swimming, drawing, ice skating, and ballet (not at the same time).
Do you think your extracurricular activities have helped enrich your life?
I’ve gotten to do lots of cool stuff because of music. I’ve met Cui Jian, Tan Weiwei, Liang Bo, and many other musicians. In the US, I got to go to a Billy Joel concert, and I even got to play music together with Stewart Copeland! I also recorded a cover of Michael Jackson’s “We Are the World” with 13 other kids from all over the world!
Will you continue to pursue it for the rest of your life?
I’ll probably keep playing piano and guitar when I’m older. Maybe when I’m an adult I’ll work with musicians like my mom! But no matter what, I’ll always love music.
This article appeared in the jingkids 2021 September-October issue
