Connecting STEM and the Arts

Sirja, an incoming Harvard undergraduate majoring in Mathematics and Statistics, talks about her dedication to STEM and the arts.

1. How did you balance your passion for STEM and the arts during high school? Were there any challenges or surprising connections between the two?

Many think that STEM and the arts are two completely unrelated, disparate entities. However, I can say with full certainty, that the arts can help fuel and drive one's passion for STEM. As a ballet dancer and violinist from a very young age, it was the precision of the technique-- for ballet, the specific angle of our chin and for violin, the inherently mathematical understanding of rhythm and time-- that I found not only drew me closer to the art form, but also supplemented my interest in math and statistics. As far as balancing them, a helpful tip that I used was breaking my semester into "chunks" that focused on different aspects of each during the year. For example, my most intense math competition season was usually in the spring semester, so I would make sure to devote extra time to preparing and practicing for those competitions. And if I had a big performance or audition for ballet in the Fall semester, I would add in extra rehearsal time so I could be at my best. So, in short, it really is not a question of if those two interests can be balanced, but more so a question of how you'll choose to divide your time to still pursue STEM at a high level, but also embrace your passion for the arts.

2. STEM and finance are highly competitive fields. What helped you gain confidence and stay motivated?

Something that I struggled with initially was doubting myself. This can be very easy to do, especially if you're in a field where the results of whatever you're engaged in (maybe a math competition, or a science fair) are displayed publicly. That in of itself kind of prompts you to look the other way, and see what others are doing. However, my ballet teacher's advice from the age of eight is really what's helped me the most: wear blinders, and only focus on your progress. Do not compare your progress-- however slow or fast it may be-- to others' progress, because at the end of the day, they are not the same person as you! You may not be able to change where you start, but you can certainly put in a lot of hard work to change where you finish/what you accomplish.

3. What inspired you to co-found We Dance for Change? How did it grow into an international nonprofit?

Together with a close friend of mine-- also a ballet dancer-- we wanted to find ways to use our art form, which we had been cultivating and perfecting since a very young age, to help others. Since we understood the power of the performing arts to bring us together, we wondered if the performing arts more broadly could bring together people with different opinions on the most pressing social issues. From there, we started our first performance series (virtual, during the pandemic) addressed at raising awareness for Climate Change, and created more performances along the way with the goal of not only raising awareness, but prompting action to help the causes we cared about. Through my participation in the Summit Stem Fellowship last summer, I was able to connect with another student from Hong Kong who was equally as passionate as we were -- and who eagerly volunteered to help our cause. We suggested the idea of her starting a new chapter, and that was just the beginning!

4. What advice would you give to a student interested in starting their own nonprofit?

The best thing to do, especially at the beginning, is just to get started! Whether you have an issue you are passionate about helping, or a special skill that you want to use to help others, just writing an idea on paper is the first step. From there, you can collaborate with other students, teachers, or any sort of mentor to help you grow your initiative. And to help your organization create as much impact as it can, creating a Board of Directors-- with yourself and three other adults-- will be especially helpful to obtain a 501(c)(3) certification for your organization.

5. How have your performances contributed to social causes? Is there a story, event, or project that stands out?

We led a performance series entitled "Postcards to Peace," where we worked closely with my ballet teacher, student groups, and my string quartet to create something truly interdisciplinary-- and to show how people, regardless of their political viewpoints, interests, or beliefs can unite under the values of hope and peace. The performance featured two originally choreographed ballet pieces, a string quartet performance, a student-produced documentary, and special performances in collaboration with the rock music club at my school. It ended with donations to the UNICEF Ukraine children's fund and was a powerful way to bring both audience members and the performers themselves together under one united cause.

6. What is your favorite ballet or piece of music, and why does it speak to you?

I always remember watching the Nutcracker from a very young age-- either from the audience when I was three, or as an angel on stage when I was eight, and even backstage from the wings as I got older. Combined with Tchaikovsky's score, the Nutcracker holds a very special place in my heart because it truly is a time capsule for the dancers performing it. Each year, you come back to the same ballet, but dance a new role-- or if it's the same role, it becomes slightly different because you truly do change from one year to the next. I had the opportunity to perform the Dance of the Sugar Plum fairy at my school's holiday charity event for preschool-kindergarten aged kids, and that experience gave me a renewed sense of joy & love for the craft I have been dancing for years. Other ballets that I love: Serenade, Donizetti Variations, Jewels, to name a few :)