After years of dedication, hard work, and persistence, they have finally made it. Starting this June, Upper Campus Academic Support Specialist Tianjia Jin and Upper Campus Mandarin teachers Heidi Wang and Ariel Song, known as the Three Teachers Band, will commence their long-awaited world tour.
Even though the three only became a group this year, years of individual training have helped the group reach their fullest potential.
Jin, the group’s choreographer, began her performance career at the ripe age of five when she joined her local ballet studio.
“My training was hard,” Jin said. “But I’m very grateful for the skills and values I learned because I wouldn’t be here without them.”
After branching out in college by joining her university’s rap crew, Jin took up vocal training after realizing she had a knack for rapping.
“I remember performing my first freestyle rap at a student showcase,” Jin said. “It was just so much fun and there was a ton of energy to feed off of. That’s how I knew I wanted to become a professional performer.”
From a similar background, Song began her training early on at the School of the National Ballet of China, a prestigious youth academy.
“I gained a lot of experience in my years with the National Ballet,” Song said. “But I also learned that ballet wasn’t the path for me.”
After retiring from the National Ballet of China to become a teacher at Pinewood, Song was exposed to a new art form: singing.
“Pinewood exposed me to art beyond ballet,” Song said. “It was through the PPA that I discovered my love for singing.”
While Song and Jin grew up performing, Wang’s path to stardom was more unconventional. After a long career in wrestling, Wang thought it was time to try something new.
“Wrestling was just not my jam,” Wang said, “I started taking voice lessons, and singing just felt right.”
The three decided to band together after discovering they all enjoyed singing together. The Three Teachers Band made their debut at Pinewood’s annual talent show, surprising the entire student body with their talent.
“They were just so cool,” said freshman Julian Porter-Schulz. “I always knew TJ was cool, but she’s even cooler now.”
Senior and Mandarin student Marie Redondo was equally satisfied with the show.
“I was blown away by their performance,” Redondo said. “Ms. Song and Ms. Wang — I’m just speechless. No notes.”
After their performance went viral on all platforms, United Talent Agency, a premier entertainment company that represents artists, reached out to The Three Teachers Band , inviting them to go on a world tour.
“I’m so excited to share our work with the world,” Jin said. “They don’t even know what’s coming.”
As they prepare to embark on their world tour, Song has taken time to reflect on her journey.
“Ten-year-old me would never believe I would be performing on a global stage,” Song said. “Thanks to Pinewood, my dreams are about to come true.”
