Dylan Yin

There are few in the PEA community who frequent the music building as often as senior Dylan Yin. A proficient musician, he has participated in multiple singing groups and orchestras throughout his Exeter career as well as setting examples as a curious learner in the classroom and a dedicated leader on campus.

Hailing from Shanghai and New York City, Dylan has been playing instruments for most of his life. Many students on campus know Dylan through his remarkable performances across campus. Senior Hannah Pak met Dylan through Interlochen—a summer immersion program for the arts—and they have remained good friends. “Honestly, some of my favorite memories with him are the ones we share performing together [at Interlochen],” Pak said.

Dylan Yin’s exceptional talent has earned him praise on campus. Upper Ben Gorman complimented Dylan Yin’s performance at the Exeter Association of Rock (EAR) assembly, saying, “He was so good … That was crazy.”

According to his sister, lower Audrey Yin, Dylan Yin is widely recognized as a role model both in concert choir and in PEADQUACs, the co-ed a cappella group on campus. “He’s a big leader in concert choir, and a lot of the other basses come to him. In PEADQUACs he’s called the ‘papa quack,’ and he fits the role really well.”

Dylan Yin doesn’t just shine in the music building; in class, his natural curiosity is a valuable asset to his peers and teachers alike. “Dylan is one of the most genuinely inquisitive people I’ve worked with in the classroom,” Biology Instructor Erik Janicki said. “He asks really thoughtful questions that make it clear he is really trying to understand things because he wants to know how things work.”

As curious as he is, Dylan Yin also has no shortage of answers. “Dylan is also a student who is willing to tackle others’ questions,” Janicki added. “One of the really nice things about Dylan is he is not afraid to make a mistake. He and his classmates get a lot of opportunities to learn from these mistakes.”

Dylan Yin also sets an example as a student leader, ready to help anyone. He is both a proctor and a student listener in Wentworth Hall, where he enjoys helping and caring for others when they need it. “I try to express to people that they are loved—that they are not alone. As cheesy as it is, a simple act of kindness can literally mean the world … I'm passionate about loving others,” he said. “In life, there is no avoiding people. Every job or class involves working with people.” 

Both in and out of the music building, Dylan Yin’s friends greatly appreciate his kindness and warmth. “Dylan is the kindest and most supportive friend out there,” upper Paula Perez-Glassner said. “He is so caring and makes an effort to make sure everyone is doing okay and is ready to talk if they aren’t.” Upper Ayush Noori also highlighted Dylan Yin’s empathy and positivity. “Dylan is reliable. If you need something, Dylan will always go out of his way to help you.”

Janicki commented on Dylan Yin’s selflessness throughout his term abroad in Stratford, England. “He consistently had the group’s best interest in mind. These traits of his are not personas that he puts on,” Janicki said. “That’s who he is.” Senior Paul James, who accompanied Dylan on the term abroad, also noted his compassion. “Dylan and I stayed in the same cottage during our time in England and made a point of cooking together and spending long nights talking in the living room,” he said. “I couldn’t have asked for a better roommate.”

Dylan Yin’s girlfriend, senior Tara Weil, expanded on his selflessness, commenting that when she returned from a trip to South Africa.He went to meet her at the airport at 5 a.m. just to spend an hour with her while she waited for her layover. "He tried to buy a ticket to Chicago so he could accompany me to the gate and then return it, but they didn’t let him,” she said.

Dylan Yin's love and appreciation extends to the Academy, as well. “Exeter is full of amazing students, faculty, administration and staff who each possess a unique story in the bigger story of our Exeter experience,” Dylan Yin acknowledged. “They each can show you a new way of thinking, of learning, of feeling. Because of these people, I am challenged every day.” This understanding inspired him to give back to a community that has helped him grow. “He frequently spends time having interesting debates among friends, checking up on people to offer help in any way he can and helped introduce me to some great pieces of music I would never have appreciated otherwise,” James said.

To Dylan Yin, Exeter has given him opportunities, opened doorways to discover academic passions while making lifelong friends and provided an outlook on life that promises a positive and hopeful path for him. But, it was his understanding and empathetic to others that allowed him to enjoy those opportunities. When asked how he’d characterize himself in one word, Dylan Yin chose “Hopeful,” because he knew that “if [he] can realize the basis for respect and for kindness, that’s a start.”

According to his sister, Dylan Yin has accomplished just that. “He’s the nicest person I know,” Audrey Yin said. “Last year, I was having a hard time, and I remember that, whenever I called him, he would pick up and always suggest that we do something. I feel like he’s my best friend, and he’s the person I love the most … I don’t want him to graduate.”