Theodore (Theo) Young ’21 first performed with Out of the Blue, Oxford’s renowned all-male a cappella group, while studying abroad at Oxford during his third year of university. The experience combined the exhilaration of performance with the quiet confidence he developed through years in SMUS choirs and musicals. It left a lasting impression and inspired him to return to Oxford after completing his undergraduate degree.
Now pursuing a Master of Science in Education (Research Design and Methodology), Theo balances seminars and research with rehearsals, recording sessions, and international touring — a reflection of a path after graduation that has been anything but linear. He began at Yale-NUS College in Singapore, drawn by opportunities to study languages after time in the SMUS Chinese program. When Yale-NUS announced it would close in 2025, he transferred to Brown University in Providence, where he double-majored in Philosophy and Behavioral Decision Sciences — a blend of psychology and economics. A year-abroad program brought him to Oxford, setting the stage for what would become a defining chapter in his musical and academic journey.
Finding His Voice at Oxford
At Oxford, Theo auditioned for Out of the Blue after seeing one of the group’s performances online and being captivated by their sound and energy.
“The process is rigorous — three rounds that test everything from musicality and solo performance to how well you can learn harmonies, blend with others, and learn background ‘block’ parts quickly,” he said. “After the final round, there is a long wait while the group deliberates. I still remember getting the call at 2:00 a.m. to say I had been selected — the relief and excitement were unforgettable.”
Highlights came quickly. With the group he toured the east coast of the United States and performed a month-long run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival — “the largest performing arts festival in the world and an amazing place for young artists to learn, share and connect.”
After graduating from Brown, he rejoined the group’s summer circuit for another Fringe run and a month-long tour of China, performing in major theatres across 15 cities.
“It felt like living a professional musician’s life for a moment — buses, planes, trains, big venues, people waiting for photos and autographs,” he reflected. “In a country that values education, being students from Oxford added a layer of interest. It was heartening to feel so welcomed and to share not just music but also our stories about life at Oxford.”
Lessons That Started at SMUS
Theo traces his comfort on stage back to SMUS. He started performing in Junior School with the Grade 5 opera, The Gypsy Baron — and went on to Middle and Senior School productions.
“Those experiences helped me grow comfortable in my own skin,” he said. By Grade 11, he was playing Jack in Newsies. Choir and musical theatre provided his earliest vocal training. “I didn't really take formal lessons until late in high school. The volume of singing in musicals and choir developed my voice and my confidence.”
Beyond the stage, he pointed to a long list of SMUS memories: leading the Reach for the Top trivia team to a fifth-place finish at provincials, playing soccer and tennis, serving as a prefect and an experiential trip in Grade 10 focused on sports analytics in Vancouver and Seattle.
“SMUS emphasizes character as much as academics,” he said. “You are surrounded by people who care about you and want you to succeed.”
Academically, he singled out the AP program, especially AP Capstone, as essential preparation.
“Capstone mirrors what you do in university: surveying literature, finding a gap, designing a project and writing with evidence,” he added. Courses like AP Statistics and AP English Language also built foundations he now uses daily in education research — statistics to interpret studies and rigorous writing to communicate findings clearly.
In his graduate studies at Oxford, Theo is exploring how education supports social mobility. His admission essay examined how countries integrate migrant students into schools, looking at Canada, the UK, Australia and Germany — a topic that may evolve into his dissertation. He imagines a multifaceted career that combines research, teaching and practical impact.
“In this field, you don’t just sit in a lab,” he explained. “You contribute to the literature, but you also share knowledge at conferences, consult with NGOs and governments and help shape strategic plans. The idea of applying findings to real systems really motivates me.”
As for music, he plans to keep it in the mix.
“I will be joining some funk projects this year — I’m on a big Stevie Wonder kick — and I want to keep singing alongside my studies and future work,” he said. “Music is a form of expression I do not get elsewhere.”
Looking back, he is grateful for the example that a cappella can set — especially for younger students who love the arts but are still finding their footing.
“If Out of the Blue had visited when I was in Middle School, seeing a group of guys so proudly committed to singing would have meant the world to me,” he said. “I hope we have offered that spark to others.”
