Joanna Zhang
Whether she is performing a solo with Exeter’s madrigal group Gli Scalitori, catching up with a dorm mate in Bancroft Hall, debating at a mock trial tournament or breeding and observing fruit fly larvae under a microscope, senior Joanna Zhang, known by friends as “Jo”, brings her passion, curiosity and kindness to every aspect of her life in Exeter.
Zhang has been singing with the Concert Choir and Gli Scalatori throughout her Exeter career, serving as the choir’s alto section leader this year. She has toured with the music ensembles to destinations ranging from Vietnam to Hong Kong to Coachella Valley.
Her advisor, Music Instructor Kristofer Johnson, reflected on advising, teaching and conducting Zhang over the years and praised her musical talent and vibrant personality. “Jo is a sensitive singer, which significantly reflects her character. She is empathetic to the singers around her, and she is deeply expressive as a soloist and chorister,” he said. “Jo loves to laugh, but works as hard as any person I’ve ever known. What I admire most about her is her kindness and her artist’s soul, which I know she’ll bring to augment any endeavor.”
Zhang credited her open mindedness to her choral experience. “I love the community I found in choir and Gli Scalatori because we did things together that took a lot of teamwork and fine-tuning, which has really helped me become a better listener.”
“Jo loves to laugh, but works as hard as any person I’ve ever known."
Lower Hanna Pak, another alto singer, commended Zhang’s dedicated choir leadership. “Jo made me feel welcome as a prep and she works hard to bring out the best in our section,” she said. “She has an incredible voice and she’s such a sweet girl. I always enjoy singing with her.”
Alto singer and Bancroft Hall resident upper Tess Aalto connected Zhang’s sympathy during music practices to her selfless guidance as a dorm proctor.“She really cares about people and goes out of her way to make sure others are okay,” Aalto remarked. “She is so smart, but sensitive in the music and dorm environment. In the dorm, I can rely on her to keep us safe and she has good judgment, looking out for Croftettes of all grades.”
Senior and fellow Bancroft proctor Zoe Marshall remembered arriving at the dorm as a new lower and meeting her roommate Zhang, who helped her move in and transition into her new home over the ensuing months. The two spent late nights immersed in conversation and laughter.
Marshall admired Zhang’s devotion and compassion in and out of the dorm. “She is very invested in everything she does. There’s nothing that she does that she doesn’t put her heart and soul into,” she said. “Jo was always there to listen to my problems and she’s caring and conscious. She is quieter than a lot of the other proctors, but she’ll be there for people who don’t speak out as much.” Zhang also felt that Bancroft was a rock of hers, “I think for me Bancroft has always been someplace that I can go back to every night,” said Zhang.
Zhang has been an active member of the mock trial club since her prep year. Since she became a co-head of the club, her role shifted from competing to handling logistics. Her leadership and contribution to the club is appreciated by her teammates. “I always feel a sense that when Jo’s there, I don’t have to be so on edge, because I know that she has everything under control,” upper Anna Clark, another co-head of mock trial, commented on Zhang’s considerate personality. When asked why she cared about mock trial, Zhang said, “I cared about the team not because of the competition but because I like seeing people smile when they finally understood something. It taught me that being a leader was more about bring everybody a role to play so that they can contribute together to the group effort rather than letting yourself shine.” Clark agreed that Zhang is a very understanding leader of the team. “If you ever have any problems you can go to her and she’ll do whatever she can to make sure that you’re functioning at your best,” Clark said.
Senior and close friend Patrick Dickinson echoed these sentiments.“She’s always willing to help me whenever I was in a spot,” said Dickinson, and he believed that this was because of her personality. “She may disagree, but she’s always probing—I think—like in conversation. She’s always trying to understand what people are trying to say on a deeper level. I think she’s trying to figure out why people think the way they do,” said Dickinson.
When asked if he had anything else to add, Dickinson said, “Jo, if you’re reading this, prom?”