Conroy Distinguished Visitor Peter McBride ’89 inspires others to find wonder in, and protect, nature.
April 4, 2025
St. Paul’s School provides a new stage for siblings Ian ‘26 and Hana ‘27 Jang to continue their musical journey together.
BY KRISTIN DUISBERG
Cellist Ian Jang ’26 and violist Hana Jang ’27 have performed on prestigious stages across the United States and competed internationally in Switzerland and throughout Asia. The two musicians agree, however, that their favorite venue remains their home in Geneva, Switzerland, where they join their violinist brother Sean ’23 and their pianist/conductor mother to create family harmony.
“When we’re really locked in while playing, something truly magical happens,” Ian says. “We can simply exchange glances and communicate through the music because we share this innate connection — it transforms our performances into something more vibrant and meaningful.”
The siblings also find fulfillment playing in community settings, whether that’s in SPS’s Memorial Hall, where they play with the Chamber Ensemble and Orchestra, or back in Switzerland, where they organize concerts for senior living communities.
“These community performances allow me to refine new pieces while also establishing genuine connections with my audience, which is what I cherish most about performing,” Hana says.
Like their older brother, both siblings have been playing instruments chosen by their mother since early childhood. Hana transitioned from violin to viola five years ago, a change that initially presented challenges. “The viola’s larger size and tone were difficult for me at first,” she admits. “But I’ve grown to love its uniquely versatile voice — how it can produce both the brightness of a violin and the richness of a cello.”
Though the youngest, Hana nonetheless embodies her instrument’s character: serving as the bridge between her “intense and perfectionist” oldest brother and Ian, whose reserved demeanor comes to life in his musicianship … as well as on the basketball court — he’s a guard on the boys JV team — and in the Lindsay Center for Math and Science, where he’s deeply engaged in the School’s computer science curriculum. A self-described family person who was initially hesitant to go to boarding school, Hana has found connection at SPS as a member of both crew and the undefeated girls JV ice hockey team, adding Latin and Greek to a long list of languages she speaks, performing in chapel, and continuing to make music with her brother.
“I trust many talented musicians here, but if Mr. Pandolfi, our orchestra director, asked who I’d choose to perform with, my answer would immediately be my sister.”
Ian Jang ’26
The siblings practice together on campus several times a week and on the weekend travel together to Boston, where they play with the New England Conservatory. “Last year, we operated more independently — maybe even needing some space from each other,” Hana says with a laugh. “But this year, we’ve established our Sunday sibling brunch tradition followed by practicing together — it creates this perfect reset to begin each week.”
The duo began at SPS in fall 2023, Ian as a Fourth Former and Hana as a Third Former. And while Ian’s disappointed that he never got to play at SPS with his brother, he says there’s no one he trusts to share the School stage with more than his sister.
“I trust many talented musicians here, but if Mr. Pandolfi, our orchestra director, asked who I’d choose to perform with, my answer would immediately be my sister. She puts in work and always delivers — I trust her completely,” Ian says. Reaching for a sports analogy to explain the level of connection that exists between him and Hana when they’re making music, he adds, “Even if I were the star player, with the score tied at 90-90 and seconds remaining, I’d pass the ball to my sister for the final shot—I know she’d make it. That’s the rare level of trust we share. We can anticipate each other’s next move before it happens.”
The siblings have another year of performing together at SPS. After that, their academic interests may guide them in different directions, but they’ll always have their family quartet to return to—even if their “vibrant” sessions sometimes grow heated.
“We all possess strong personalities,” Ian explains, “and we’ve reached a point musically where we each have distinct approaches and interpretations. Our rehearsal sessions can evolve into hours of passionate debate.”
When these musical disagreements arise, Hana adds, their father — a U.N. diplomat who doesn’t share the family’s artistic inclinations — retreats to his study with noise-canceling headphones. Nevertheless, he remains consistently amazed by the music his children end up creating together. “The process may be intense,” she says, “but it’s entirely worthwhile — the music we create together always sounds amazing.”
The siblings’ musical partnership has already garnered significant recognition beyond the St. Paul’s campus. Last fall, Ian performed a gala concert with the Lakes Region Symphony Orchestra after winning the group’s concerto competition. Hana and he recently claimed first and second place, respectively, at the prestigious Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra Young Artist Concerto Competition, and Hana will perform with that orchestra in June. This summer, they both will attend the world-renowned Heifetz International Music Institute, joining some of the most promising young classical musicians from around the globe.
“What we’re building together at SPS is creating a foundation that will support us wherever music takes us next,” Ian says.
