Artful balance
This article is the first in an occasional series on the impact of humanities studies in and out of the classroom. George Li ’18 does most of his English assignments on an airplane. That’s where the joint Harvard-New England Conservatory student often can be found, en route to concerts or piano competitions. And while the study space may be less traditional — and more public — than Widener Library or his room at Winthrop House, the challenge agrees with Li. “It’s very rewarding for me,” he said. “In trying to balance studying and work, and being prepared to perform, I’m juggling this double life.” The 21-year-old from Lexington expected as much when he applied to Harvard, saying he knew a broader education (as opposed to a conservatory-only) would “help me become a better person.” In choosing English as a concentration, Li took on a daunting area of scholarship — and not just because he’s...