Contact Information
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MAILING : P.O. Box 8, Los Olivos, CA 93441
Fall 2026
It was wonderful seeing you back on campus for Reunion. What did it feel like returning to Midland almost ten years later?
Sofya: It was really emotional in a way I wasn’t expecting. There are obviously little things that have changed, but walking around campus felt incredibly familiar. The land still has such a strong presence. There were moments where I’d walk past a tree or a trail and suddenly remember something I hadn’t thought about in years.
It reminded me how much growing happened here, not just academically, but personally. Midland was a place where I was figuring out who I was, and coming back made me appreciate how much of that foundation is still part of me today.
For people who haven’t met you before, tell us a little about your life today.
Sofya: (laughs) It’s hard because every week looks different.
I spend most of my time writing, producing, recording, collaborating, rehearsing, performing, and organizing events. Some weeks I’m in the studio every day. Other weeks I’m performing live or working with other artists. I also help curate community events because I love creating spaces where people can gather around music.
I think that’s one thing I love most about this work. It’s never static. Every project introduces me to new people, new ideas, and new ways of thinking.
Looking back, when did music stop being something you enjoyed and become something you knew you wanted to pursue?
Sofya: It actually happened at Midland.
I remember sitting in class, listening to music while looking out the window at a tree. I asked myself this really simple question:
“If I wasn’t afraid… what would I actually want?”
The answer surprised me. I saw myself singing. Which is funny because I’d never really sung publicly before. I played cello, but singing felt completely different. It felt vulnerable.
But once that thought entered my head, I couldn’t really ignore it anymore. Looking back now, that moment feels incredibly important.
If someone had told your Midland self in 2016 that you’d build a career writing songs, producing music, and performing, would you have believed them?
Sofya: Absolutely not.
Before Midland I honestly imagined becoming something much more traditional, a doctor, a lawyer, something like that. Music was always there, but it wasn’t something I viewed as a career.
Midland gave me permission to ask different questions about my life. Instead of asking, “What’s practical?” I started asking, “What actually feels alive?”
That shift changed everything.
Sofya’s senior page in the 2016 Midland Mirror.
One thing that strikes me about your journey is that it doesn’t feel like you’ve chased success. It feels like you’ve followed curiosity. Has that always been intentional?
Sofya: I don’t think I would’ve described it that way at the time, but yes.
Every time I tried forcing myself toward something because I thought I was supposed to want it, it never felt right. Whether it was the type of music I was making, the way I presented myself, or even who I thought I should become… my body always knew first.
Eventually I learned to trust that feeling. Curiosity became a much better compass than certainty.
You’ve explored songwriting, producing, electronic music, immersive performances, and community events. What keeps pulling you toward new things?
Sofya: I honestly get excited when I don’t know how something is going to turn out. That’s where creativity lives.
If I already know exactly what the outcome will be, I’m usually less interested. I think creativity is really just paying attention. Paying attention to what excites you. Paying attention to what feels honest. Paying attention to what keeps returning to you.
I noticed something while listening to your music. Your songs don’t seem interested in telling people what to think. They invite people to feel. Is that intentional?
Sofya: I love that observation. Yes. I don’t really want to explain emotions. I’d rather create space where people discover their own.
Music has always been emotional for me before it’s intellectual. Sometimes I don’t even fully understand what a song means until months after I’ve written it.
Nature keeps showing up in your work too: the moon, forests, air, silence, open space. I immediately thought, “That feels very Midland.”
Sofya: (laughs) That’s definitely Midland.
Before Midland I appreciated nature, but I don’t think I really experienced it the same way. Now I actually feel at home outside.
Most people hear “forest at night” and think scary. I hear that and think peaceful. That relationship with nature absolutely influences my writing. The imagery just comes naturally now.
An outdoor night performance with cello.
Your forest concert completely captivated me. It felt less like attending a concert and more like stepping into an experience. Where did that idea come from?
Sofya: I’ve always been interested in creating experiences rather than simply performances. When I put on forest concerts, people hike into the woods to get there. They’re surrounded by trees. The light changes as the evening unfolds. The wind, the birds, the sounds of the forest, they all become part of the music.
I love when people leave feeling like they experienced something they couldn’t have had anywhere else. Not just entertainment, but something they’ll carry with them.
(Even when the park rangers politely ask us to relocate.) (laughs)
You’ve collaborated with some incredible artists over the last several years. What have those experiences taught you?
Sofya: At first, I thought success was working with people whose names everyone recognized. Over time that became much less important.
The people I admire most are the ones who stay curious and generous. Who genuinely love making things. That’s much more inspiring to me than celebrity.
You also spoke during our conversation about identity and authenticity. As an Asian queer artist, has embracing those parts of yourself influenced your work?
Sofya: Definitely.
For a long time I think I was trying to fit into ideas about who I was supposed to be. The more honest I’ve become about my identity, the more honest my music has become too. I don’t really separate those things anymore. The music is just another way of telling the truth.
I also know visibility matters. When I was younger, I didn’t always see people who looked like me or shared my experiences creating the kinds of art I wanted to make. If someone sees themselves reflected in my work, that’s really meaningful.
Looking back now, what do you think Midland gave you that you’re still carrying?
Sofya: Presence. Community. And trust.
I think Midland taught me to loosen my grip a little. Nature isn’t trying to be perfect. People aren’t either. That realization changed how I approach relationships, creativity, and honestly… life.
Finally, what would you tell a current Midland student who’s passionate about something but has no idea where it might lead?
Sofya: I’d tell them not to worry so much about the destination. Just keep following what feels true. You don’t need the whole map.
Curiosity is enough.
About Sofya
Since graduating from Midland in 2016, Sofya Wang has built a career as a songwriter, producer, cellist, and immersive performance artist. Her music has earned millions of streams, and she’s collaborated with artists including Lauv, Chelsea Cutler, and Shallou. Today, she’s equally passionate about creating intimate performances that invite audiences to experience music in entirely new ways. Curious what a Midland education could look like for your family? Plan a visit to campus.
A reflection facilitated by Senior Advancement Associate, Jasmine Fullman
Listen to Sofya
Hear the music Sofya Wang ’16 is creating today, and watch her live session with Music In Transit.
Excited to learn more about the Midland Experience?