Haruhito Sakurai, Class of 2021

Notable School Accomplishments: 2021: Arranged the School Song, making it jazzier, adding one verse
Post-Graduation Husky Support: Summer 2023: Composed BGM for our banner video

1. When did you graduate from HIS?

I graduated from HIS in 2021.

2. Where are you from? Where did you live in the past?

I was born in Sapporo and lived back and forth between Chile and the United States. 

3. Where are you currently living? 

I am currently living in Los Angeles, California. 

4. What are you studying? What activities are you doing in college?

I am studying musicology and anthropology at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). I am also working as a student ambassador at UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, where I do school tours and host Q&A sessions for those interested in applying for the school. Furthermore, I am an Alpha Lambda Delta National Honors Society member, planning fundraiser events and ways to support the school and the LA community. 

5. What’s your cultural background and/or nationality? 

My nationality is Japanese, and my pronouns are he/him. 

6. Why did you choose HIS? 

I chose HIS because my family and I were born in Hokkaido, and we’ve had a strong connection with the culture and the people living there. From the beautiful forests to the bustling cityscape, I felt great comfort and balance between city life and nature. 

7. How many years were you at HIS? 

I came to HIS during the end of Sophomore year. 

8. What’s one of your favorite memories from HIS?

One of my favorite memories at HIS is spending time making a flower garden in the schoolyard with my peers. It was nice to connect with everyone as we created a space that many huskies enjoy to this day. I hope that future huskies will continue building upon the garden we created!

9. What was your favorite class, and which class helped you prepare the most after college? 

As someone studying music, AP Music has helped me prepare my musicianship and theoretical skills for my application and exams to get into university. The music instructor during my time was very thoughtful and cared about student learning and academic success. Furthermore, the instructor offered support outside of class if I needed help with class materials or college applications.

10. What are your majors in college? 

I am doing a double major in musicology and anthropology. 

11. What was the most valuable experience you had at HIS and how is that experience continuing to help you today?

One of my most valuable experiences at HIS was connecting with my teachers and upper-level students during free time, such as lunch or after school. It’s always nice to talk about career opportunities and college decisions with someone with experience and knowledge. I would highly recommend reaching out to them as soon as possible!

12. How did your experiences at HIS help you in your adult life?

My experiences at HIS are helping me with my adult life, especially as someone living and studying abroad by myself. Sometimes, college life can be challenging, and you can feel homesick, especially at the beginning of university life. But knowing that there’s always a community I can return to and get support makes me feel at ease and ready to face a new day.   

13. Which moment in HIS would you like to relive and why? Would you do anything differently?

I would love to relive the entirety of my senior year at HIS. My senior year at HIS was perfectly balanced with fun, ambition, and academic success. There was something special about feeling the transition between high school life to adult life that made the year feel different from the rest of the school years. Moreover, this was when many of us started to prepare to step into the world, where we decided to honestly think about what we wanted to do and how we wanted to succeed. But at the same time, we knew each other very well and had great fun. 

14. What advice would you like to give to current Huskies about how to make every moment count, during HIS and beyond? What advice would you give to students who are interested in music? What advice would you give graduating Huskies?

I encourage thinking about what you genuinely love doing and keep on going forward! If you ever get lost in where you want to head, try writing a list of things you want to do and start drawing connections. But don't rush yourself. If you ever feel stuck or anxious, try something that can relax your mind, like listening to your favorite music or eating your favorite snack. Find the right balance between challenging and rewarding yourself, and most importantly, have fun! I wish you all the best!