Opera singer Minh Minh: The nightingale waiting for the sun.

Dedicated to classical opera

In July of this year, Minh Minh won third prize at the Chicago International Music Competition. This award is organized by the International Academy of Piano Talent, Wheaton College, and the Milan Conservatory of Music. The competition is open to contestants worldwide, with the two most popular categories being Classical Vocal Music and Piano. Minh Minh was the only Vietnamese contestant to receive an award this time. Minh Minh said that she participated in the competition hoping to learn, gain experience, and see what classical music education is like abroad, because "traveling broadens the mind."

It might sound cliché, but that's exactly what the petite girl aimed for, because that trip to America was her first time traveling so far and alone. She prepared everything herself, her only possession being her singing voice. There were times when it seemed the trip wouldn't happen due to paperwork issues. There were moments when Minh Minh felt devastated, but then she picked herself up and found a way. And just like in a foreign land, a prolonged illness and jet lag sometimes made it difficult for Minh to stand while singing.

Before winning third prize in the competition, Minh Minh had achieved many notable accomplishments such as: Second prize at the Vietnam-Russia Friendship Singing Festival, and a Gold medal in Piano Duet at the Asia-Pacific Festival.

For many individuals, awards may be commonplace, but for opera singers in Vietnam, they represent a well-deserved reward. It's not just recognition, but also encouragement on the challenging path they've chosen. "The award is an important acknowledgment in my career. The core message is that I've changed internally. I'm aware that I need to be more serious, more professional, and more disciplined. I've also learned to work more independently and autonomously."

Having graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Music Education, a Bachelor's degree in Vocal Performance, and a Master's degree in Music Teaching Theory and Methodology from the Central University of Arts Education, Minh Minh is currently teaching at the Northwest College of Culture and Arts. Besides her dedicated teaching work, she also initiates music projects for the community. She says that giving is also receiving. And the most important thing she often guides her students on is not technique, but how to embrace and transform life experiences into the emotions of a song. “Each person has different experiences, so they will have different emotions and different ways of expressing them. That's what makes a singer unique.”

Minh Minh said that she loves classical opera but doesn't want to be conservative with what she's learned. She hopes to combine opera with contemporary music, both to satisfy her creativity and to reach a wider audience. This idea led Minh Minh to explore the health music genre.

"Health music is related to energy and impacts more people, helping them realize its value immediately. When listening to and learning about this genre, I was incredibly surprised that no school teaches it," Minh Minh shared.

"I've always wondered, besides entertainment, what value does music offer to listeners?"

Minh Minh is exploring the therapeutic role of music – a concept that has become increasingly popular in Vietnam in recent years. This exploration stems from observing daily reality: while entertainment programs are increasing, the number of stressed people is not decreasing. Particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, reflecting on her studies and work, Minh Minh realized she hadn't yet delved into the core of music, both in music education and professional performance.

“It turned out that I hadn't yet brought the true value of music to my listeners and my students. That was also a time when I looked inward more. I began to discover and learn about new musical communities, such as the loving and awakening music community… helping people live more positively, be more virtuous, and achieve greater peace of mind and body.”

By engaging with the community, singing and sharing, and supporting charitable programs, Minh Minh discovered another value in this genre of music. However, she felt something was still missing, something that hadn't fully expressed and developed her musical abilities.

Continuing her research, Minh Minh learned about a brainwave concert program called Brain Talk. What made this program special was that, in addition to the usual elements of a classical concert such as melody and lyrics, each musical piece also had a scientific frequency, and each frequency had a specific influence on the listener's behavior, emotions, and mental state. Being a curious and inquisitive person who wanted to bring new value to listeners and the community, Minh Minh was immediately captivated. She also became a performer for both Brain Talk 1 and 2, combining opera with other musical genres and frequencies carrying positive energy.

Minh Minh said that Brain Talk will become a stepping stone for her to continue with related music projects that can bring many benefits to the community. Initially, she hopes to bring this meaningful music project to Hanoi soon, but she is still waiting for the right opportunity. She hopes to have the support of investors and producers who are interested in the other values ​​of music.

“Beyond its artistic and entertainment value, music also plays a role in improving the mental health of listeners. It contains thoughts, feelings, and energy – things we cannot see. For listeners to feel that energy and live more positively, maintaining fresh energy every day, the artist must first cultivate this energy,” Minh Minh said.

Sharing her future plans, Minh Minh intends to continue developing music classes or programs tailored to different audiences, taking into account the varying musical tastes and abilities of each individual. Additionally, she will actively participate in classical and chamber music performances and continue to learn and create, as this has always been her goal since her student days.

Nha Linh