The Entertainer

Carnegie Hall falls silent as senior Kihong Ahn steps on to the stage. Clarinet in hand, Ahn briefly acknowledges the audience before sitting down and facing the crowd. A melodious tune fills the chamber as Ahn’s fingers dance over the keys, allowing years of hard work to finally pay off.An accomplished clarinetist, Ahn has many achievements to boast about with regards to his playing. He first picked up the clarinet eight years ago and has since accomplished much in his career.After coming to Exeter as a prep, members of the music department quickly recognized his skill at the clarinet and placed him as the principal clarinetist in the Academy’s Symphony Orchestra, a position that he has since retained. During his lower year, Ahn joined the Academy’s Chamber Orchestra and has been an active member in that orchestra as well.Last year, Ahn won the International Crescendo Competition for the clarinet. After winning, Ahn was invited to perform at Carnegie Hall, one of the most, if not the most, renowned performance venues in the country.A distinguished clarinetist both inside and outside the Exeter community, Ahn is keen to not only follow his passion in clarinet but to help others with his talent. When Ahn is in South Korea during breaks, he is an avid member of the Seoul Nanum Clarinet Ensemble. As a part of this ensemble, Ahn tours around South Korea giving clarinet lessons to underprivileged children.Ahn, who is attending Dartmouth College next school year, plans to incorporate clarinet and music into his college life and beyond.“I am definitely gonna pursue music in Dartmouth. I hope I will be able to integrate my general knowledge of music with my entrepreneurial interests and develop it into a more concrete goal to strive towards,” Ahn said.Apart from playing a large role in the musical building, Ahn is also a proctor in Abbot Hall. Dorm head Michael McLaughlin described Ahn as influential in shaping the dorm and a role model for younger students.“Kihong is among the most adored proctors in Abbot Hall. The youngers guys are visibly in awe of Kihong, and the older ones, though in more subtle ways, clearly admire him,” McLaughlin said. “Kihong breaks down social barriers with ease and seems fearless in his approach to connecting with others. His humor is often dry, but so well-timed that it brings a playful ease to all those around him.”Ahn is one of the most amiable people around campus and is open to talking with people of all ages. “Kihong is one of the nicest proctors, if not the nicest, in the whole dorm and I can talk to him about anything from math problems to his special sense of fashion,” prep Jack Farrell said. “I don't know a single person who doesn't like Kihong.”Senior Daniel Bausher-Belton described Ahn as an integral part of Abbot. “Kihong is a powerful presence within the dorm,” he said. “Whether he is sitting in Brandon Wang's room playing Minecraft, watching the latest house of cards, or simply chilling on the benches, the dorm would not be the same without his constantly interesting attitude.”Ahn is also well respected outside of Abbot as a compassionate, compelling leader. Senior Rohan Pavuluri remarked on Ahn’s personal growth over the last four years. “Kihong is now a leader both in the dorm and on campus. Preps constantly ask him for guidance, which he is more than willing to offer,” he said. “Without a doubt, Kihong is one of the most passionate, poised, caring, intelligent and funny people I have ever met in my life. Above all, what I admire most about Kihong is his compassion. Without hesitation, he is the most warm-hearted friend I have on campus.”Pavuluri also commented on Kihong’s personal contribution to his own life. “In a place as hectic as Exeter, where it's easy to concentrate on the path you've set for yourself, a day never goes by without Kihong making sure his friends are healthy and happy,” he said. “For this reason, I couldn't be luckier to call Kihong one of my best friends over the past fours years. Whenever I've gotten worked up about a particular obstacle, Kihong has remained the voice of reason. He has this magical ability to remain calm whenever those around him are subject to stress.”Ahn has left an impression on his peers, teachers and dorm mates that they will all remember long after he has graduated. “Bright, loyal, affable, humorous, honorable and trustworthy—the list of adjectives goes on and all fit Kihong well. Still, I am left with a noun—friend. Kihong is a friend to many and an integral part of the Exeter community,” McLaughlin said.