At just 16, Sabrina Chiu is a force of creativity and compassion, blending her passions for her love for music, writing, and advocacy into a powerful call for change. Crowned the 2024 Hong Kong Outstanding Student Award (Secondary Group) champion, she has earned accolades in international mathematics competitions, composed classical symphonies, and published a music research paper. Her recent honorable mention at the 2025 Young Maestro International Competition in New York further cementing her status as a rising star. Yet beyond her impressive accolades, it is Sabrina's heartfelt commitment to using her talents for social good—particularly her dedication to amplifying the voices of Gaza's children—that truly sets her apart.

From Keys to Notes: Sabrina's Early Love for Music

Sabrina's journey began at the tender age of four, when her small fingers first danced across the keys of a piano. "Music came to me at an early age," she recalls. "I've played the piano since I was four and started training vocally around 10." By the time she was eight or nine, her exposure to Broadway musicals like Phantom of the Opera and Disney soundtracks ignited a deep love for music. "The building up of such experiences made me realize that music was something that would be in my life for a very long time," she says.

Her passion for writing emerged a few years later, around the age of 12. What started as occasional journaling to capture memorable moments gradually evolved into longer, more introspective entries and, eventually, essays. "Most times I write privately, where I'm most comfortable and free to express myself," Sabrina explains. This private practice of writing became a cornerstone of her creative expression, allowing her to process her thoughts and emotions with clarity and depth.

These dual passions of music and writing created the foundation for Sabrina's identity, shaping her worldview and fueling her desire to connect with others. But it was a pivotal moment in her life, rooted in the unrest that swept through Hong Kong in 2019, that transformed her talents into tools for advocacy.

Chaos and Compassion: Sabrina's Global Lens

In 2019, Hong Kong was gripped by widespread protests against a controversial extradition bill, which escalated into clashes between demonstrators and police. For Sabrina, then a Year 11 student, the sudden shift from a structured, safe environment to one of uncertainty and fear was jarring. "We were abruptly affected by local protests against the police force," she reflects. "This inevitably brought uncertainty, and many felt unsafe and consistently threatened by this changing environment."

Yet, even amidst this chaos, Sabrina recognized her relative privilege. "We were very fortunate to have access to help and support," she notes, contrasting her experience with the dire circumstances faced by children in Gaza. The New York Times article by Gaya Gupta, Hiba Yazbek, and Ameera Harouda, which detailed the physical and emotional toll of the Israel-Gaza conflict on Gaza's youth, struck a deep chord with Sabrina. The haunting imagery of children like six-year-old Hala, too weak to eat, and nine-year-old Mohammad, suffering from seizures due to untreated fever, left a lasting impression. "As a student like them, I cannot fully fathom the grief of mothers and fathers burying their children," she writes in a poignant response to the article. "When I imagine my own school crumbling to rubble, my friends and I sick and wounded, our dreams destroyed... it is too devastating to grasp."

This stark contrast between her own experiences and those of Gaza's children galvanized Sabrina's resolve to act. "No matter our personal trials, there are always those struggling in even greater hardships," she says. "This really affected me and made me feel it's our duty to extend support however possible."

Penning Pain: Sabrina's Call for Gaza

Sabrina's response to the New York Times article is a testament to her ability to wield words with precision and empathy. Her essay, which won widespread acclaim, not only articulates the historical roots of the Israel-Gaza conflict but also conveys the visceral pain of Gaza's children, painting a vivid picture of the trauma endured by Gaza's youth, from the "haunting eyes" of children to a mother's despairing lament. Her focus on the human cost—particularly the suffering of children—elevates her work. "The simplicity of the mother's plight is heartbreakingly effective," she writes, capturing the universal struggle of families in Gaza to meet basic needs like food and water.

Sabrina's essay also serves as a call to action, urging readers to donate to charities, raise awareness, and support businesses to aid Gaza, reflecting her hope that readers "walk away with a renewed sense of optimism and a broader outlook on life and that "people feel a positive influence after reading such that they can see the world in multiple perspectives."

Symphonies for Solidarity: Music that Moves

While Sabrina's writing amplifies the voices of the marginalized, her music serves as a universal language that heals and unites. Her achievements in music are nothing short of extraordinary. In 2024, she composed a classical symphony that earned her third place in three separate competitions, showcasing her technical prowess and creative vision. Her honorable mention at the 2025 Young Maestro International Competition in New York further underscores her global influence. Most recently, on March 8, 2025, Sabrina led a 350-member choir and orchestra at Hong Kong's German Swiss International School's 55th anniversary celebration, delivering a powerful solo performance of Unstoppable. The performance, described as a "pressure-packed" finale, left audiences in awe of her vocal strength and stage presence.

For Sabrina, music is more than an art form—it is a means of connection and transformation. "Personally, I often think that music is a healing and cleansing idea, as it's therapeutic and versatile," she says. This belief underpins her charity concerts, which combine her musical talents with her advocacy for global issues. A defining moment came in 2022, during a reality TV competition's closing concert, when the audience sang along and waved personalized light sticks. "In that moment, I truly felt the power of music and this resonance I'd never felt before," she recalls. "It led to me thinking that, 'what if this power could be used in other ways, like advocating for even greater issues?'"

Sabrina's vision for music as a tool for change is now taking shape through her plans to organize busking events with fellow young musicians, using music to spark conversations and drive change. "Over the years of studying music, I've met many talented musicians around my age," she shares. "I hope to hold busking opportunities in the future for us to gather. Not only can we inspire each other, but also raise awareness for global issues in our own way."

Art Meets Activism: Sabrina's Creative Fusion

Sabrina's ability to intertwine music and writing in her advocacy is perhaps her greatest strength, seeing the duo as complementary forces that can "heal and rejuvenate" those who encounter them. Her illustration concept for the New York Times article, inspired by Michelangelo's The Creation of Adam, exemplifies this synergy. The artwork depicts two hands nearly touching—one bandaged, belonging to a child from Gaza, and the other reaching out from a peaceful world. Behind them, a puzzle symbolizes the shifting borders of conflict, a toy for some but a source of devastation for others. The interplay of monochrome and color in the illustration mirrors the stark divide between war and peace, amplifying the emotional weight of her written words.

This multidimensional approach—combining music, writing, and visual art—reflects Sabrina's belief in the power of diverse perspectives. "From past experiences, I've learned and developed a lot after listening to others or hearing the same ideas in new ways," she says. Her work encourages others to embrace this mindset, fostering introspection and discernment in a world often divided by conflict.

Fearless Futures: Inspiring the Next Wave

Sabrina's achievements extend beyond her creative and advocacy work. Her academic excellence, evidenced by outstanding results in British and American mathematics competitions and the publication of a music research paper in an international journal, showcases her intellectual rigor. Yet, it is her humility and boldness that truly inspire. When asked what advice she would give to other young people aspiring to make a difference, Sabrina's response is both practical and profound: "Be fearless and bold. Sometimes we worry that our power is too trivial and insignificant in the scale of the world, so we limit ourselves and our creativity. But realistically, no one can stop you if your beliefs are firm enough."

Her message resonates with a generation of young changemakers eager to use their talents for good. Sabrina's story is a reminder that impact begins with action, no matter how small. "There's no loss in giving every spark an opportunity to grow," she says. "You'll never know unless you actually take action."

Impact in Progress: A Trailblazer of Tomorrow

As Sabrina looks to the future, her plans are as ambitious as they are heartfelt. In addition to her busking initiatives, she hopes to continue composing music, writing essays, and leading charity events that amplify marginalized voices. Her upcoming projects include collaborations with other young artists to create platforms where music and advocacy intersect, fostering dialogue on issues like poverty, conflict, and mental health.

On a personal level, Sabrina remains committed to growth and learning. "I aspire for my work to spark that same kind of introspection and discernment in my readers," she says, emphasizing her desire to empower others to question, explore, and form their own opinions. Her journey, though still in its early stages, is a testament to the power of youth to drive change, one note, one word, one act of compassion at a time.

Sabrina's Symphony: Crafting a Compassionate Legacy

A talented musician, writer, and advocate, Sabrina Chiu embodies the potential of her generation to reshape the world. From Hong Kong stages to international journal pages, she has proven that age is no barrier to impact. Her work, rooted in empathy and amplified by creativity, serves as a call for solidarity with those who suffer, particularly the children of Gaza whose stories have touched her heart.

As she continues to compose, write, and lead, Sabrina's legacy is already taking shape: a world where young voices are heard, where art heals, and where compassion drives action. For Sabrina, the journey is just beginning, but her light shines brightly, guiding others toward a future where every child's dreams are as precious as her own.