What happens when three 15-year-olds with a shared love of music, a group chat, and a band room decide to build something together? You get Left Hand Statik — one of IYC's own homegrown student bands, only 3–4 months old and already making serious noise.
The Origin Story
Left Hand Statik was the brainchild of Shawn and Keangie, who brought the vision to life and eventually landed on the trio that stands today. The band operates as a true democracy — Robert holds the leadership role (at least according to Shawn), Keangie votes for Shawn, and when things reach a deadlock? Shawn breaks the tie. When disagreements arise, the band has a clear process: discuss it, find relevance, and reach a solution. "Majority wins," they say — but only if the point is reasonable. No formal rulebook exists, but the 6 Pillars of Character guide how they move.
The Members
Shawn is a musician, artist, and aspiring engineer who calls IYC's community the thing he loves most about the school. He's the kind of dreamer who wants to both build things and play on stage — and sees no reason he can't do both.
Robert splits his heart between music and marine biology (sea otters are a particular passion), and lists challenge-based learning as what draws him to IYC. His future? He'll take either musician or marine biologist — ideally in that order.
Keangie is, in a word, gifted. She plays guitar, cello, piano, bass, percussion, ukulele, upright bass, and drum kit. She's the band's unofficial mentor-recruiter, reaching out to IYC's music theory teacher and YOLA instructors for guidance. Her dream is to become a musician and middle school music teacher — and her advice to her future self says it all: "Learn all the modes."
Life in the Band
The trio practices throughout the week — at lunch, after school, and in the band room with their mentors. They communicate through a group chat and have already played three gigs. Their individual musical touchstones reflect their personalities: Shawn favors "Island in the Sun," Robert loves "Go Away," and Keangie turns to "Boys Don't Cry."
Ask them the best part of being in the band, and the answer is simple: getting to play instruments together.
What's Next
Spring Break means no breaks — the band plans to keep practicing at home and on the road. And in the next two months? In Shawn's words: "Finish our original song, play it, and release it on all platforms." The track already has a name: "Lavender Town."
Left Hand Statik is proof that IYC students don't just learn about innovation — they live it. Keep your eyes (and ears) on these three.
Left Hand Statik — coming soon to all platforms.