Karthik Malickel Ramakrishnan ’27
From the classroom to the studio, Kailin Gao ’25 is always in motion. A dedicated dancer, musician, and student, she balances a packed schedule with remarkable discipline and passion. When asked “What do you admire most about Gao?” Hailey Rosenberg ’25 quickly responded: “Her work ethic. She puts so much effort into everything she does, and everything she does is very thoughtful.” Even since the beginning of Pre-K, Gao has been passionate about Chinese dancing and drawing. After joining the EA community in kindergarten, Gao also began to take ballet and visual art lessons. In third grade, Gao found yet another artistic passion: the flute. Despite her busy schedule, Gao manages to balance all of these activities while taking on a rigorous course schedule. Whether it’s learning a new dance routine, perfecting a piece of artwork, or rehearsing for a band concert, Gao approaches everything with passion and determination.
Dance has always been a huge part of Gao’s life. Once starting ballet, Gao fell in love with its technical aspects. The discipline learned in ballet taught Gao to strive for the impossible and to constantly push herself to her limits. What inspires Gao to do this is “the thought that there is never perfection, there is always a goal to work towards.” Recently, she played one of her dream roles as “Giselle” in a ballet variation. It required lots of preparation, but to her, the experience was incredibly rewarding. The role challenged her both physically and emotionally while helping her to garner a deep understanding of expression in dance.
Photo courtesy of Kailin Gao ’25
Beginning when she was young, Gao’s art lessons have played a big role in her life. Her passion for visual arts began alongside her love for dance, and over the years, she has honed those skills in various ways. Whether it is drawing, painting, or other forms of art, Gao brings the same dedication and attitude to her artwork as she does to dance and music. Her artistic abilities are reflected in her captivating pieces. Art, like dance and music, has always served as a way for Gao to express herself, and to communicate emotions and stories without saying a word.
Gao has been playing the flute since third grade. She partakes in both regular band and jazz ensemble. Gao is also the band’s Student Conductor. This role is given to a senior each year; they learn how to conduct their peers, rehearse music with the concert band, and conduct a piece in the band concert. This role demands leadership and strength, qualities that Gao exudes. As a conductor, she has proven that her talents extend far beyond just playing an instrument; she is also a mentor and guide to her fellow musicians, always encouraging them to improve and excel.
“She has that infectious positive energy. I’ve known her long enough and I see her enough that I know she’s not always putting on a show,” band teacher Ryan Dankanich says about Gao. Gao’s genuine enthusiasm and approachability make her a standout, not just as a dancer, artist, or musician, but as a person who truly inspires others. From Gao’s years of dancing and drawing to her impressive accomplishments in music, she approaches every pursuit with genuine heart and discipline. Whether it is taking on challenging dance roles like “Giselle,” leading her band as Student Conductor, or inspiring others with her artwork, she excels in ways that few can match. As Melanie Kryukov ‘25 remarks, “She’s one of the strongest people I know because she can do anything well and seem on top of it.” This strength, paired with her positive attitude, is what truly sets Gao apart. Through her example, Gao shows that it’s not about achieving success, but about inspiring those around you and pushing yourself to grow every day.