n math, there is a “theorem on friends and strangers,” also known as the Ramsey theory. It posits that in a party of six people, there will always be three people who are all friends, or three people who are all strangers.

This concept is a favorite of Math concentrator Easton B. Singer ’26, who I figure is most likely to be among the three friends should he ever be in a group of six — or of four out of 18, or of five out of a number that remains unsolved, as Easton patiently explains to me. Because even if he finds himself totally among strangers, there is no doubt he will quickly become a friendly face and a helping hand.

“I think that everyone, at heart, does want to talk to you and share their story with you,” he says. “I find that so valuable about being here, and I try to open myself up to that — learning from other people and also just being in community.”

Easton’s title as Unsung Hero isn’t simply attributable to his contributions as a Course Assistant for Harvard’s notoriously difficult Math classes, including Math 55, Math 114, Math 123, and Math 221 — although he’s also proud of the sense of community he’s been able to foster in the department. As a pianist, percussionist, and music director of several campus productions and performances, including Harvard-Radcliffe Dramatic Club, Easton has also shone in the arts scene on campus.

“They’re not exclusively separate groups of people, but I do have different friend groups within math and within music and theater,” he says. “But there are some similarities, I think — actually, in terms of the creative aspect, which you would probably more evidently associate with music or the arts, I think math, pure math especially, has a similar creative component.”

Easton, who hopes to become a math professor, prizes the collaborative emphasis of these environments on campus as integral to his Harvard experience.

“I really love teaching,” he tells me. “I hope that maybe in these different settings — in both math, music, whatever else — that people see me as someone who is always motivated to help other people learn and perform music and be the best versions of themselves.”

Easton’s love for puzzles is apparent to me in how admirably he’s figured out his life at Harvard — and, he reveals, without Google Calendar. “I’m so happy to be here,” he says with a smile. “I think I sort of found the activities here that not only align with my interests, but are also driven by a sense of people doing something that they want to do, that they’re having fun doing, and that they're willing to do together. And I think that that's really important.”

When he’s not occupied day and night with tech week for productions, Easton says that in his unscheduled time, he’s often “just floating.” He loves to play games, and on Saturdays, can be found in Leverett Dining Hall with HUBBLE, a board game club on campus.

“On one hand, you have very complex strategy games that you’ll play for hours,” he explains. “And I do enjoy a lot of those.” But Easton says he also finds social deduction games, such as Mafia, able to capture his passion for both people and puzzles.

“It’s like, there’s a good team and a bad team that’s trying to blend in, and everyone is trying to figure out who’s who and what’s going on,” he describes. “I think casting a lot of what I do as puzzles and puzzle-solving is an explanation that sort of comes naturally to me for a lot of the things that I do.”

Indeed, beyond board games, Easton says he often opts to “lean into the mediator role” in social settings. His superlative, though, is not only a testament to his natural character, but the proactive kindness with which he approaches his peers.

“To me, Unsung Hero is someone who has positive intentions and leaves people happy,” Easton says.

A singer should command a stage — and this Singer has certainly paved his way. While starting off in accompanying roles in pit orchestras, Easton had the opportunity to direct and conduct his fellow musicians for the first time his junior fall, co-directing “Aida” with his roommate, English and Theater, Dance & Media concentrator Eliza R. Zangerl ’26.

His collaborative philosophy, even as a leader, holds strong. “I always approach musicals, whether from the playing or conducting side, with the idea that ultimately we are doing this for fun, and so it should be fun,” he reflects. He recently conducted “Merrily We Roll Along,” which he adds to his list of most treasured memories at Harvard.

“As a senior, getting to work with all the people that I met over the years and create a really awesome show, and also to be on the proscenium as well, in the Loeb, was a favorite,” he says.

Up next, Easton is looking forward to going to Europe for the first time with friends, including Daniel Salkinder ’26 — his “best math friend.”

And for all of those who named him their unsung hero, Easton tells us that he hopes you hear this: “I'm very grateful for all of you to have been a part of my life, and just know that I feel the same way about you, and please continue to be friends. Reach out to me.”

— Associate Magazine Editor Chelsie Lim can be reached at [email protected].