For Fang Yu Liu, a St. Paul Class of 2025 graduate now known as Roe, pursuing music professionally was not always part of the plan. What began as a casual interest in music during her time at St. Paul American School Hanoi gradually became a passion that led her to Berklee College of Music in Boston, where she is now studying Performance with a focus on orchestral percussion.
Roe initially joined the music program simply because it seemed like something interesting to try. It wasn’t until her second year, when she chose percussion, that she discovered how much she enjoyed playing music.
I just had so much fun that I wanted to stay and keep playing music
By the end of Grade 8, she had started thinking seriously about pursuing music as a career. When choosing a university, Berklee stood out for its wide range of musical opportunities and the freedom to explore different genres.
Music is such a broad topic and it just felt like such a shame to not have the chance to experience all of it,
Today, Roe is studying Performance with a focus on orchestral percussion. Her long-term ambition is to become a percussionist with the New York Philharmonic.
Looking back, Roe considers participating in international music competitions one of the most valuable experiences during her time at St. Paul. These opportunities allowed her to explore different musical styles and learn from musicians beyond her familiar environment.
She also credits her teachers for their support throughout the Berklee application and audition process. Mr. Gus, University Guidance Counselor, helped her connect with Berklee and navigate the application process, while Ms. Stacey Perez dedicated additional time to teaching her the instruments required for her audition.
Beyond music, Roe also remembers her art classes fondly. She believes that exploring other creative subjects is important for musicians, especially when music becomes both a passion and a profession. Having another creative outlet helped her maintain a fresh perspective and avoid burnout.
Now living in Boston, Roe enjoys the city’s walkable neighborhoods, accessible public transportation, and the diverse international community at Berklee.
Her experience at St. Paul also helped her adapt to university life in the United States. Studying in an English-speaking environment and learning from native English-speaking teachers prepared her for everyday communication beyond the classroom.
During a recent visit to St. Paul, Roe was especially excited to reconnect with her former teachers. While she noticed several campus updates, what stood out most was that the relationships she valued had remained the same.
It still felt like we were friends and that they were looking out for me, even when I’m so far away
For younger students interested in music, art, design, or other creative fields, Roe has one important piece of advice: don’t let yourself burn out.
She understands how easy it is to become caught up in constant practice, competition, and comparisons with others. Instead, she encourages students to focus on their own progress, maintain a healthy work-life balance, and remember why they started in the first place.
Know when to step back when your passion starts to die down
At Berklee, Roe continues to develop her orchestral percussion skills while exploring new instruments, including the steelpan. She is also preparing for an upcoming December concert with the Berklee Symphonic Winds.
As she works toward her ambition of joining the New York Philharmonic, Roe remains focused on learning, improving, and exploring new possibilities in music.
St. Paul is proud to see Roe continue developing her passion at Berklee College of Music and looks forward to following her next chapter!
