Singer Thu Huong: Graduated as valedictorian at age 20, steadfast in her commitment to bolero music

Hanoi [Vietnam], July 4: Having just graduated as valedictorian in Vocal Performance from the intermediate level at the Vietnam National Academy of Music, singer Thu Huong continues to pursue a full-time university degree at the same institution, steadfastly pursuing bolero and traditional music.
Singer Thu Huong (born in 2006, Hanoi) recently completed her graduation exam for the intermediate level, Vocal Music department at the Vietnam National Academy of Music, with a perfect score of 10/10, becoming the valedictorian of her class. Speaking to Thanh Nien newspaper , the singer said she was overwhelmed with joy upon learning of her valedictorian title. However, for Thu Huong, this is not an end in itself or something to be complacent about, but simply a beautiful milestone on her journey in pursuing art.
According to Thu Huong , the four years of studying at the intermediate level were a crucial foundation that helped her mature not only professionally but also in her thinking and professional character. Throughout her studies, the singer was directly mentored by People's Artist Do Quoc Hung - Director of the Vietnam National Academy of Music. Thu Huong said that, in addition to receiving systematic training in professional knowledge and vocal techniques, she also learned from her teacher the spirit of serious artistic work, the awareness of preserving the unique vocal style of each artist, as well as responsibility to the audience and the profession.
"I am very happy to know that I am the top student in the intermediate level of Vocal Music. For me, this title is just a memorable milestone on my learning journey, not the destination. However, it is also a great source of motivation for me to continue striving, constantly improving, practicing, and perfecting myself. The road ahead still holds many challenges. Therefore, the most important thing for me is to always maintain the spirit of a student, to listen, to constantly learn, and to appreciate the guidance of my teachers, the support of my family, and the love and affection that the audience has given me," Thu Huong shared.
Her recent achievements have motivated Thu Huong to invest more seriously in her studies and artistic pursuits. Continuing this journey, the singer of " Love Letter from My Younger Sister" applied to the regular undergraduate program in Vocal Performance at the Vietnam National Academy of Music and achieved 24.61 points in this year's entrance exam. Thu Huong stated that she hopes to officially become a student at the academy to continue receiving systematic training, gradually perfecting her skills and sustainably pursuing her passion for singing. To prepare for two important exams, the singer has almost completely put her performing activities on hold. "The amount of knowledge required for vocational school and university entrance exams is quite heavy, so I had to temporarily suspend my performance schedule to focus all my time and energy on studying," she shared.
I want to build a solid foundation before embarking on a long journey in music.
From a young age, Thu Huong showed a special love for music, especially bolero, lyrical, and folk music. While many young people pursue modern genres, the singer, born in 2006, remains steadfast in her choice of bolero. However, the 10X generation singer says she doesn't want to limit herself to a single style. Besides bolero , Thu Huong wants to try her hand at other genres such as classical and folk music to broaden her performance possibilities. "I still want to choose the path of formal music and traditional values. I will continue to pursue bolero, but I also want to expand to other genres to give myself more variety. Actually, the formal music genre I was trained in at school was classical opera," she shared.
Besides aiming for a performing career, Thu Huong said that what motivated her to pursue a university education was her desire to build a solid professional foundation. "I think that in the process of singing, one needs a really strong foundation. That's why I decided to pursue formal education at the university level, and perhaps even a master's degree," the singer expressed.
At the age of 20, Thu Huong also quickly learned to accept differing opinions from the audience with an open mind. She confided: "Everyone has their own feelings and musical tastes. Some people like me singing duets, but others prefer me singing solo; it depends on the needs of each audience. In my songs, I don't focus too much on showcasing vocal technique, but more importantly, I convey the emotions of the song as authentically as possible to the listener."
Embarking on a new chapter, Thu Huong aims to further develop her professional skills while contributing to bringing bolero and the values ​​of traditional music closer to younger audiences. "I always believe that an artist not only needs to sing well but also needs to live beautifully , live kindly, and maintain gratitude towards those who have accompanied them. I don't aim to chase the glamour of fame. What I desire is to live fully with music, to sing melodies that touch the hearts of listeners, and to be remembered by the audience for the sincerity in every lyric," the Hanoi-born singer expressed.
Speaking about her plans after graduation, Thu Huong said she has quite clear plans. Besides continuing her postgraduate studies, the singer hopes to gain practical experience through performing while also pursuing a teaching career. Currently primarily active in Hanoi, the singer said she's not in a hurry to move south. According to her, her family and work are stable in the capital, so she will focus on completing her university program first, and then consider developing her career in Ho Chi Minh City in the future.
Source: Thanh Nein Newspaper