Yisen Meng is a dynamic high school student recognized for his versatility in music, sports, academics, and community service. Since the age of two, he began traveling between Beijing and Canada, marking the start of a rich and diverse childhood filled with exploration and cultural experiences. Yisen developed a wide range of skills and interests, contributing to his unique adolescent journey.
From the age of five, Yisen exhibited a passion for music and began learning the piano under his grandmother's guidance. Below are some of his music-related and other activities.
After several years of study, he received a First Class Honors Certificate from the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) for passing the Level 10 Piano exam in 2022.
As a committed member of the school band, he initially played the clarinet and later transitioned to the saxophone, starting from elementary school at Corner Stone Academy and continuing through his current middle school, Richmond Christine School. As a devoted saxophonist in a temporary band, he contributed countless hours to rehearsals, culminating in a successful live performance at Disney World during spring break in 2019.
In the summer of 2019, he first attended the Grosseto Music Festival and Piano Courses, followed by the Talent Music Summer Courses with masterclasses in Music Performance in Brescia, Italy. Later that year, he participated in a Piano Master Class performance in Hamamatsu, Japan. Visiting the Hamamatsu Museum of Musical Instruments deepened his knowledge of early piano works and enhanced his understanding and performance skills of piano repertoire from various periods.
After placing second in the International Little Mozart Music Competition in 2022, he performed at Carnegie Hall in New York in February 2023 as a finalist in the Crescendo International Competition.
In 2022, he achieved second place in the Vivace International Piano Competition in Paris, France. This accomplishment boosted his self-confidence and helped him identify areas for improvement and future goals.
In 2023, he achieved a significant milestone by performing the piano concerto ‘Ode to the Yellow River’ with a symphony orchestra. Additionally, he presented two successful solo recitals in Vancouver, Canada: one in January and another in October. During these recitals, he performed pieces by Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, Chopin, Liszt, Mendelssohn, and Debussy.
After two years of successful performances in the Elite Young Artists Concert series, he was awarded the Steinway Challenge Cup in 2024. That same year, he participated in the Sea to Sky International Piano Music Festival and secured second place.
In the summer of 2023, he immersed himself in intensive piano training programs in Vienna and New York City, studying under renowned professors from the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna and The Juilliard School.
In his current hometown, he took advantage of opportunities to learn from distinguished pianists, such as Li Wang, a faculty member at the Glenn Gould School at the Royal Conservatory of Music, and Andrey Gugnin from Ukraine. Yisen also actively participated in Dan Zhaoyi’s lectures, performances, and teaching demonstrations during the pianist’s visit to Vancouver.
He actively participates in various performances, including Chinese New Year, Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, charity events, and Christmas celebrations.
In addition to his love of music, he's also a dedicated athlete, having joined the Kajaks Track & Field Club in Richmond. Whether training on the track or going for long-distance cross-country runs by the seaside, this regimen laid a solid foundation for his physical fitness, enabling him to excel in other sports. He broke the high school’s record for the 800 meters and has won first place in all the running competitions at school over the past few years.
While participating in the Canadian Red Cross Swim program, he also trained with the Richmond Rapids Swim Club. After mastering the highest levels of breaststroke, backstroke, freestyle, and butterfly, he pursued certification in first aid and lifeguarding. He learned the importance of leadership skills essential for lifeguards, who must not only save lives but also lead rescue teams.
As a small forward for the RCS Eagles, his high school basketball team, he prioritized understanding the coach’s and captain’s goals. Even though he wasn’t the captain, he consistently collaborated with every teammate. Both personal skills and effective teamwork are crucial for a basketball team to achieve success. This spirit and habit will fuel his growth and success in the coming years.
In his studies, Yisen maintains a focused attitude and excels at using creative thinking to solve problems. In his physics course, there was a project with very restricted conditions for designing and building a device to drop a raw egg from varying heights, culminating in a drop from the third floor without breaking the egg. When the egg landed intact on the cement floor, the teacher remarked that he had not seen that happen in many years. Yisen firmly believes that solid basic knowledge, rich experience, and a broad vision are indispensable cornerstones of creativity.
In addition to his studies in class, he focuses on learning from social practice and applying his knowledge in real-world situations. During his 2023 internship in the field of Ecology and Environment, he proposed adding phytoremediation to an ecological restoration project that had been rejected for technical reasons. He then motivated the team to take effective actions to implement these ideas, leading to significant scientific and commercial results. When the project was re-submitted, it was not only approved but also received the necessary financial support for implementation.
His achievements in environmental protection are not accidental. Over the years, he has accumulated knowledge, developed his way of thinking, and taken related actions. Even at home, he has led his family in water-saving efforts through a garden and yard water-saving plan. He began saving water even before the city government requested it, collecting kitchen water free of salt, oil, and chemicals to water his garden and trees. As a result, his garden has remained beautiful, fragrant, and full of fruit without the need for a sprinkler system. This contributes to a more sustainable future.
Yisen is passionate about community service and volunteering. As a piano tutor in a volunteer program for children, he uses beginner-friendly methods that are both educationally effective and make learning more enjoyable and encouraging. As a volunteer, he assists people with intellectual disabilities, helping them acquire essential life skills such as basic English, traffic safety, waste management, and emergency procedures. Witnessing them face countless challenges, setbacks, and failures, yet still being willing to try again and again, has taught him invaluable lessons about tenacity and perseverance.
In addition to mandatory camping and adventure activities, he volunteered for over two years and maintained a regular piano practice routine. He also participated in fitness, boxing, and other sports, enhancing both his physical health and musical abilities. As a result, he received the gold level of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award in 2024.
His commitment to personal and artistic growth promises a bright future, as he continually pushes the boundaries of his talents. Looking ahead, Yisen Meng remains focused on expanding his musical prowess, excelling in academics and athletics, and serving his community. He embodies the spirit of a passionate and driven young individual ready to make an impact in the world.
