“I love the performing arts because it allows me to get creative; it alleviates all my worries and showcases my creativity and talent.”

Meet Emma Z. (‘30), a passionate Grade 7 student from South Korea who has lived in China and Seoul before arriving in Malaysia.
With a passion for performing arts, leadership, and creativity, Emma has made her mark in the ISKL community since joining nearly two years ago.

Here is her story:

Can you tell us more about yourself?

My name is Emma, and I am from South Korea and was born in 2012. This is almost my second year in ISKL.

Before joining ISKL, I lived in Seoul, South Korea, for 7 years and in Guangzhou, China, for four and a half years.

What were your first days of school like?

My first days of school were a little confusing but great. Reading the schedule was confusing to me, but I got used to it and made great new friends!

We understand you enjoy dance, music, acting, and art and participate in many performances. Please tell us more.

I got to experience many different activities when I was young; most were singing, dancing, acting, and drawing, so I have been close to the arts since I was young – this was the key to my love of performing arts.

I love the performing arts because it allows me to get creative; it alleviates all my worries and showcases my creativity and talent.

Please tell us what CCAs you are involved in and why.

I participate in the MS Student Leadership Team (SLT), the MS Youth Orchestra Leadership Council, and the MS Musical Spongebob. I was also part of a dance crew, which I directed, and one hip hop and Kpop crew, directed by others.

I joined the SLT because I like organizing and planning events, which is the same for the MS Youth Orchestra Leadership Council. I joined the MS Musical because I enjoy acting, and acting gets rid of my stress and gives me time to relax by acting out another character (not just me being myself). I joined the two dance crews because I love learning new types of dances, which is also one of my hobbies. I wanted to learn new dances and perform them for others.

Can you tell us more about your other hobbies and interests?

I also like reading, sewing, crocheting, knitting, drawing, crafting, solving math problems, and playing badminton. And I love animals.

What are your hopes and dreams for the future?

In the future, I want to become a multi-talented person who does hard work. I also want to be a person who is helpful to others in many ways.

Who or what inspires you or has influenced you?

My parents have influenced me the most because when I get in a hard situation where I have to take a challenge on something, they always cheer me up and give me great advice. Whenever I stay with my parents or talk to them while they are doing their work, I can see that they always try their best and won’t give up until the end; this has influenced me so much that I always want to try my best and to not give up until the end like my parents.

Most memorable moment at ISKL?

I can’t forget the feeling that I had at last year’s Arts Festival closing celebration when I was in Grade 6) when the musical got released, and we had a run-through of the whole MS Arts Festival show. It was quite sad that the Arts Festival week was over, but being part of the Arts Festival Show was more than worth it.

What does “Know yourself, care for all, and create a better world” “mean to you?

It means finding my own kindness, sharing it with others, and creating a better world filled with kindness.

Do you know of any student, teacher, parent, or staff who always have an anecdote to tell, love to share some insights into their passions and interest, or simply is a Panther through and through? Nominate them to be featured in our Panthers of ISKL stories by sending in your submissions here.