By: Noah Ung, Staff Writer
The term “artist” encompasses a diverse range of creators, from musicians to painters and sculptors. But what does it mean to truly be an artist? To explore this, we take a closer look at the life of Kameron Fung, a senior at Mills High School whose passion for drumming highlights the unique experiences and challenges faced by student artists.
“My artistic style is free, flowing, and light,” Kameron shares, describing how his approach to drumming has evolved over time. Through years of dedication and experimentation, he has learned to play with more color, utilizing every part of the drum set and mastering dynamic changes in volume to breathe life into each piece. The result is a versatile style that enhances the music and brings depth to every performance.
When asked about his inspirations, Kameron points out that he doesn’t draw from drummers alone. “My inspirations for my work are watching and appreciating other great musicians, not just drummers, and studying the way their style can shape a song. Then, I try to pick out small elements of their style and integrate it into mine.” This process of learning from others and blending styles helps keep his playing fresh and continually evolving. It’s not just famous musicians who fuel his passion either—close members of his music community and his music teacher, Mr. G, play pivotal roles in his growth. “Mr. G is an extremely knowledgeable man who teaches me so much about what different types of music are,” he notes.
Learning a new piece is a complex process that goes beyond simple practice. “Typically, when learning a new piece, I need to know what style we’re playing for and then adapt to that. For example, if we’re playing a rock tune, I wouldn’t want to play all softly and light as if I was playing a ballad,” Kameron explains. After establishing the style, the band collaborates, communicating their vision and tweaking parts of the song to reflect their individual playing styles. It’s a challenging but rewarding process, full of trial and error.
Balancing a deep passion for music with school life is no small feat. “The way to balance this with my school life is to have school first, then music, but still, among all my other extracurriculars, music is the priority,” Kameron shares. This takes meticulous planning, with schedules and calendars ensuring that nothing slips through the cracks. “Once it’s locked in as my priority, it’s a part of my regular schedule and doesn’t really feel any more stressful than someone who doesn’t take any extracurriculars, just more fulfilling.”
Yet, being a student artist isn’t without its challenges. “The most challenging aspect of being an artist so far is thinking that I’m not enough as a musician, and that my progress is not constant enough,” Kameron admits. Overcoming self-doubt requires reflection and perspective. “I really just have to sit back and realize how far I’ve come since my freshman year and relate that same feeling to how others may feel about their hobbies, knowing I’m not alone.”
Despite these challenges, Kameron’s dedication to his craft is unwavering. Music isn’t just an extracurricular—it’s a passion that has shaped his identity and fostered a sense of community and purpose.
