When I was four, I first watched a four-year-old violinist, André Rieu with Akim, playing “Dance of the Fairies” on YouTube. I was immediately attracted to the violin he was playing. So, I begged my mom to buy me a new violin to practice with, hoping that one day I would be on stage, playing the violin confidently in front of an audience. Seeing my passion for the violin, my mom decided to buy me a new one and find an experienced teacher for me.
I was playing the violin as a child.
With my mom’s unconditional support, my journey with the violin has not been an easy path. At the age of five, my mom let me test my ability with a high-profile professor in Vietnam, but he rejected me because of my short fingers. At that time, I was just a child, and I could see the anxious look on my mom’s face. Facing the professor’s rejection, my mom didn’t give up. She tried a second time when she took me to an assessment with Professor Bui Cong Duy, my current teacher and now the Vice Director of the Vietnam National Academy of Music, one of the most prestigious music schools in Vietnam.
After the test, he told my mom, “My fingers are a disadvantage, but I have a good ear for music.” That’s why he gave me a chance to learn from him. At the age of five, I was too young to understand the challenges I was facing at that time. When I grew older, my mom retold that story to me, and I realized how much effort my mom and my teacher, Bui Cong Duy, had put into me. These people motivated me to pursue my dream of playing the violin, and I also thanked myself for how determined I was and how I persisted with my passion for the violin.
This is me, my teacher, Bui Cong Duy, and my peers after a performance at the Vietnam National Academy of Music. I am the shortest person in the center of the picture, and my teacher is standing behind me.
In my journey of playing music, I have to spend three hours per day practicing. Due to my short fingers, I have faced difficulties with some double stops that require wide finger stretches, such as octaves and tenths, and it takes me more time to practice these challenging double stops than a typical student. However, my passion for the violin doesn’t allow me to give up.
Finally, all my efforts paid off. At the age of eight, after four years of consistently practicing the violin, I decided to pursue a nine-year diploma program in violin at the Vietnam National Academy of Music. That year, I ranked in the top 10% of admitted students in the entrance exam for the violin program at the academy. The result went beyond my expectations and was a great inspiration for me to continue pursuing my passion.
My acceptance letter for the nine-year diploma program at the Vietnam National Academy of Music (2017).
What I am most proud of in my musical journey is that I won the second prize in the most prestigious national music competition in Vietnam, in the violin category, which is organized only once every four years by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. To achieve this precious award, I am really grateful to Mr. Cong and my mom, who have always supported me throughout my journey of pursuing my passion. I am also grateful to myself for staying persistent and working hard to achieve what I have today.
The moment I received second prize in the Autumn Music Competition held by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
Besides, I also participated in many competitions, both nationally and internationally, during my secondary and high school years. Notably, I won a Bronze Medal at the Appassionato Quebec Online Youth Music Festival (2024), a Special Prize in the Violin Category (Tier B) at the Malta International Music Competition, and Second Prize at the Muse International Competition (Tier B+ and A). I am really grateful to my mom, my teacher, and my friends, who have always supported me throughout my musical journey.
Some of my international violin awards.
During my time studying at the Vietnam National Academy of Music, I had many opportunities to meet and work with people with different interests, backgrounds, and ages.
At the age of 11, due to my excellent performance at the Vietnam National Academy of Music, I received a full-ride scholarship from International Music Sessions, a non-profit music organization that connects young musical talents around the world. In this program, I not only had the opportunity to meet talented young musicians but also visited the house of Mr. Mr. Peter van Hattum in East Hampton and learned about the local culture. It was also a valuable opportunity for me to learn more about American culture and how to deal with cultural differences with international friends.
I visited the University of North Texas at the age of nine.
At the age of 11, due to my excellent performance at the Vietnam National Academy of Music, I received a full-ride scholarship from International Music Sessions, a non-profit music organization that connects young musical talents around the world. In this program, I not only had the opportunity to meet talented young musicians but also visited the house of Mr. Mr. Peter van Hattum in East Hampton and learned about the local culture. It was also a valuable opportunity for me to learn more about American culture and how to deal with cultural differences with international friends.
My international friends and I visited the house of billionaire Peter van Hattum.
An artist and I participated in a cultural exchange activity at International Music Sessions in 2017
Besides international music summer and exchange programs, I also participated in many performances and summer camps held by the Vietnam National Academy of Music. These were opportunities for me to make friends with other students at the Academy. There, I met many friends who shared the same interests in music and community, and some of them later became members of my projects.
An artist and I participated in a cultural exchange activity at International Music Sessions in 2017
Along with the time I spent studying music, when I had free time, I received invitations from the Vietnam National Academy of Music and other organizations to perform the violin. I performed with the academy orchestra at a big ceremony, worked with my friends at the Academy to organize music events to promote a horse racing club, and performed in a fundraising campaign to support COVID-19 patients. Each experience not only gave me more confidence on stage but also taught me how to learn from others and inspired me to do good things for the world.
Performing with the school orchestra gave me the opportunity to work with other talented young musicians, learn from their previous experiences in competitions and music practice, and build strong bonds with people who shared the same interests as me. Here, I learned how to be disciplined, communicate effectively with others, and act professionally so that the symphony could be successful.
Along with pursuing a nine-year diploma in violin at the Vietnam National Academy of Music, I also pursue an academic program at True North School. Sometimes, I receive invitations from the school to perform at events to promote school spirit and help build a closer-knit community.
I was performing in the orchestra of Vietnam National Academy of Music
I was performing on the violin at an event for primary school children at True North School.
In 2020, when the COVID-19 outbreak occurred, thousands of Vietnamese people passed away and millions of people were infected with COVID-19. Facing these difficulties, I decided to accept an invitation to participate in an online music fundraising program to support COVID-19 patients. We raised a total of 400 million VND (equivalent to around $15,000 USD) at that time. Although it was a small action, it was a way for me to give back to the community using my talent.
