A passion for art together with a serious dedication to learning is the key to success. Le Thi Yen, a student at the Viet Nam National Academy of Music won the silver prize at the third ASEAN International Chopin Piano Competition in Kuala Lumpur this year. Yen said that she began learning the electric organ when she was a 9 year-old student in Bac Ninh Province. Despite living in a small town lacking the opportunities for education in the arts, which exists in big cities, her parents were determined that their three oldest daughters would learn to play the organ. Yen said: “My parents are officers in the construction sector, which has no relation to art, but they themselves always encouraged us to pursue any art because they believe girls should learn art to diversify their lives.” Yen and her two older sisters all ended up pursuing music, one studying in the Department of Criticism, Composition and Conducting, the other learning to play the electric piano and Yen dedicating herself to studying the forte piano. “Yen’s slender appearance belies the maturity of this 21-year-old. Underneath this is a powerful determined girl brimming over with enthusiasm,” said People’s Teacher and former director of the Viet Nam National Academy of Music, Tran Thu Ha. Ha has been Yen’s teacher from her first days practising the piano to the many national and international prizes Yen has won so far. “Although Yen had a normal upbringing, unlike other students who were born into traditional… [Read full story]
Leave a Reply