19-year-old sophomores Nick Chiu and Sasha Rabeno refine their musical abilities in a Zoellner Arts Center practice room at Lehigh University on Wednesday, Oct. 7. Both Rabeno and Chiu know how to play the piano, but Chiu prefers to sing. (J024/ Angie Bravo)

Chiu,19, sits atop a piano looking to the side in a Zoellner Arts Center at Lehigh University in a practice room on Wednesday, Oct. 7. Chiu aims to have daily vocal practice. (J024/ Angie Bravo)

Chiu and Rabeno play the piano together in a Zoellner Arts Center practice room at Lehigh University on Wednesday, Oct. 6. Chiu and Rabeno enjoy collaborating on musical projects. (J024/ Angie Bravo)

Chiu, 19, sings in front of the church at Lehigh University on Wednesday, Oct. 6. Chiu prefers to sing folk music.(J024/ Angie Bravo)

Chiu and Rabeno walk together on a Lehigh University parking lot after a small performance on Wednesday, Oct. 6. Chiu and Rabeno support one another in their individual musical endeavors. (J024/ Angie Bravo)

Rabeno kisses Chiu on the cheek in a parking lot at Lehigh University on Wednesday, Oct. 6. Chiu and Rabeno feel connected through their mutual love of music. (J024/ Angie Bravo)

Chiu and Rabeno dance to jazz music outside at Lehigh University on Wednesday, Oct. 6. Chiu and Rabeno coordinate easily with each other due to their personal relationship and their knowledge of music. (J024/ Angie Bravo)

Chiu and Rabeno stare into each other’s eyes while dancing outside at Lehigh University on Wednesday, Oct. 6. Chiu and Rabeno feel in sync in multiple aspects of their life. (J024/ Angie Bravo)

Chiu and Rabeno share music with one another at Lehigh’s, University Center front lawn on Wednesday, Oct. 6. Chiu and Rabeno default to soothing jazz music to relax. (J024/ Angie Bravo)

Chiu and Rabeno sing ABBA’s hit, Dancing Queen with each other in Rabeno’s car parked in Dravo’s parking at Lehigh University on Wednesday, Oct. 6. Chiu and Rabeno love music as much as they love each other. (J024/ Angie Bravo)

Sound comes in toots, beeps, and twangs among a myriad of other possibilities. For Nicholas Chiu and Sasha Rabeno, sound presents itself in music. Chiu’s instrument of choice is his voice and in conjunction with Rabeno’s piano playing skills; they come together to make a perfect musical match.

Chiu and Rabeno are 19-year-old sophomores in Lehigh University’s Integrated Degree In
Engineering, Arts, and Sciences program (IDEAS). Despite heavy coursework, Chiu and Rabeno find the time to express their love for music in their extracurricular activities; Chiu participates in The Melismatics, one of Lehigh’s Cappella groups, while Rabeno participates in the school’s band playing the tenors.

“In my capacity, I’m the main bass in the group,” Chiu said. “So, I kind of serve as that foundational role on the bass line and among that section of the ensemble, just by virtue of the part I’m playing.”

Chiu was in a cappella group in high school and carried on with the activity. He said that he takes his music more seriously now.

“Now I really enjoy the learning process of it and learning how to become a better musician: building up all my skills especially in my singing,” Chiu said. “It’s what I mainly focus on. Whether in a group setting or independently, it’s always focusing on that work and improving and seeing what I can learn.”

A major component of the music listening experience are the subsequent emotions. Since Chiu also plays the piano, he said he can express every feeling through his music.

“I think it really depends on what I want out of it,” Chiu said. “I find that I am able to extrapolate what I want from the music with what I’m trying to do.”

Music surrounds Chiu and Rabeno’s life. Between the clanks, rings, tings, jingles, and jangles: the love Chiu and Rabeno share for music is incomparable to the love they share for one another.