R-JENERATION: Coronado junior finds drawing, dance rewarding

He would scan his surroundings with his observant eyes, trying to find the spark -- the inspiration for his thin canvas, a sheet of paper, a brush, a wooden pencil.

Sixteen-year-old Landon Hsieh began drawing when he was 4, sketching things he saw, such as the streets or a pond or even cartoon characters such as the ones from the movie "Toy Story."

When he drew an ocean filled with fish at age 6, his elementary school art teacher was so impressed she submitted it to the Chapman University art gallery.

"Drawing was something that developed over time," Hsieh says. "I especially love realism and portraits. It really shows detail and the technical skill put into drawing, which is very rewarding to me. That's why I love art. It's a tangible way to show your hard work. And, in the end, it's something that can be kept forever."

Drawing isn't Hsieh's only talent. He has played piano since he was little, taught by his grandmother for 12 years.

"I learned piano a little differently," Hsieh says. "Not by notes, but by ear. I figured out the notes one at a time. I love playing 'Fur Elise' by Beethoven."

Hsieh also showed interest in break dancing since the eighth grade. It started when he saw a documentary about Korean break dancers, who were said to be the finest in the world.

"I thought break dancing was the coolest thing ever," he says. "I began looking up dances on YouTube and self-taught myself through imitation."

Hsieh has since performed on numerous occasions. He joined the all-male dance team at Coronado High School his freshman year. He won best performance with a group of friends at Anime Vegas in 2010. Hsieh is a member of Coronado's hip-hop club and served as president of the group last year.

"Two years ago, hip-hop club sort of disbanded, so I decided to be president," he says. "This year, I'm just a member, since I've been focused on student council."

Hsieh has been on Coronado's student council for two years. This year, he is the junior class president and is busy planning for prom.

"I try to prioritize and put what affects people the most first," Hsieh says. "As of now, student council is what I have to concentrate on the most."

Even with so much going on, Hsieh still keeps up with his academics, taking rigorous advanced placement classes and maintaining a 4.0 grade-point average. He is now a candidate for valedictorian.

Although his many activities and studying keep him busy, he has found time to take up yet another hobby.

"I've been making costumes for fun," he says. "It all started with a kid's birthday party when I dressed up as a Transformer. My most recent costume was of a character from 'Halo.' With a little cardboard and paint, anything is possible."

Hsieh says he hopes to keep his love for art, music and dance in the future but his career plans lie in the medical field.

"By being a doctor, I can help someone, and the end result of improving the patient's health would be worth it," he says. "I think that's what I loved about drawing and break dancing and playing the piano. They've all taught me that if I work hard and improve my skills, the outcome would be rewarding and meaningful."