Within the YCYW Educational Network, music is far more than just a subject; it serves as a bridge connecting hearts, a key unlocking potential, and a beam of light nurturing students' sense of social responsibility.

Ms. Josephine Lo, the current Creative Arts Director of the YCYW Educational Network and an alumna of YCIS Hong Kong, is both a firsthand witness to and an active promoter of this philosophy. Her story vividly reflects the profound impact of YCYW's music education on students' life trajectories and the powerful force that inspires students to give back to society what they have learned. 

As one of the coordinators, Ms. Lo has witnessed countless students undergoing magnificent transformations on stage. "Not only have they significantly improved their musical skills, but they have also learned to listen, understand, and take responsibility through collaboration," she remarked with emotion. The proceeds raised from the concert have been used to build schools, fund teacher training, and even invite students from remote areas to perform on the same stage.

What left the deepest impression on her was the "Seeds of Hope" Concert held in Guangzhou in 2025, where 250 teachers and students from YCYW campuses across the country joined hands with 12 students from Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture to deliver a breathtaking performance that blended the beauty of Chinese and Western music and resonated deeply with the audience's hearts, playing a cross-cultural anthem of friendship. 

At YCYW, music education is not reserved exclusively for elite students but serves as a holistic development pathway for every student. The mandatory violin classes offered by the school open the door to musical enlightenment for each student. Through playing the violin, these classes not only promote students' physical health, coordination, and concentration but also help them establish a solid foundation in instrumental skills and cultivate strong auditory abilities. Simultaneously, the curriculum positively contributes to students' academic and cognitive development, enhancing their creativity and musical appreciation. Additionally, the school provides individual instrumental tutoring courses on campus, offering personalized instrumental and vocal training across a variety of instruments. 

Meanwhile, the school offers students abundant performance opportunities through diverse platforms such as orchestras, choirs, and drama festivals, and encourages them to engage in cross-school collaborations to accumulate real-world stage experience. For students aspiring to pursue advanced studies in music, YCYW provides specialized scholarships to support their participation in international masterclasses and overseas performances. The school also works closely with its university guidance center to assist students in applying to top music institutions worldwide. Ms. Lo emphasized, "We are not just cultivating musicians; we are nurturing future citizens with a sense of responsibility, empathy, and social awareness." 

In Ms. Lo's view, the true value of the "Seeds of Hope" Concert lies not in the performances themselves but in the character-building it fosters among students. "Music teaches students perseverance, collaboration, and expression, and more importantly, it makes them understand that the true meaning of talent lies in serving others." 

Every rehearsal and every performance serve as a refinement of the students' hearts and minds. Through collaborating with peers from diverse backgrounds, students develop cross-cultural understanding and respect; by advocating for public welfare causes, they come to appreciate the social value and responsibility of art. "Whether or not they embark on a musical career in the future, this experience will become the cornerstone of their lives—teaching them to use what they've learned to change the world and to listen to the world with their hearts," Ms. Lo said with deep emotion. 

At YCYW, music education goes beyond teaching students how to play musical instruments; it teaches them how to appreciate the beauty of life, how to connect with others, and how to offer help. From the classroom to the stage, from the campus to the community, and from personal dreams to social responsibility, music acts like a seed of hope, taking root and sprouting in the hearts of every YCYW student, ultimately growing into towering trees that illuminate and warm the world. 

On March 7, 2026, the "Seeds of Hope" Concert will be held in Beijing. Ms. Lo expressed with great anticipation that this musical extravaganza is not just an artistic display but also a dialogue of the soul. "We hope to enable more children to see a broader world through music and, in turn, be seen by the world."