Ngo Hong Thao

LET’S MEET HONG THAO - COMING TO MUSIC FROM TRADITIONAL MUSIC AND BECOME A TEACHER WITH MORE THAN 10 YEARS OF MUSIC INSPIRATION

Meeting with Hong Thao - a teacher who is teaching at Yamaha Vietnam Music School, with piano lessons for individual classes and JMC classes - ages 4 to 5. We had a memorable talk by sharing about how to inspire music for women with Ms. Thao. Discover with Yamaha Music School Vietnam through the interview below!

PASSION IS GROWING FROM TRADITIONAL MELODIES

Ngo Hong Thao is a music teacher with over 10 years of experience in the field of piano teaching for generations. And now, Hong Thao chooses Yamaha Music School Vietnam as the place to fuel her passion for music teaching.

Can you talk about your journey to music?

My family has a musical tradition of “Don Ca Tai Tu^*1 ” & “Cai Luong^*2 ”. Since childhood, I have been exposed to those traditional tunes. And my passion for music was also nurtured from there. And when I grew up I chose Western music and keyboard instruments as my companion in my career.

• 1 Don Ca Tai Tu: The southern folk song which flourished in Sothern Vietnam.
• 2 Cai Luong: A form of modern folk opera, particularly famous in Southern Vietnam.

Do you have any memorable memories in your music learning process?

The most memorable time was probably the time when I was practicing for the entrance exam to the Ho Chi Minh City Conservatory of Music. And after those hours of practice, the main result was that I passed my dream to attend this school with the expected score.

MUSIC IS THE SOULMATE OF EMOTIONS

For Thao, music is a companion, can you share more about your relationship with music?

For me, music is like a soulmate, helping me express emotions that are difficult to say. When I play music, I feel an abundance of emotions that helps me feel more uplifted.

What other inspirations and motivations helped you choose to study music?

If I say the reason, I can only say that because I like and love music, I choose it to be attached to my life. As for the motivation, maybe in my younger days when I listen to traditional tunes I personally feel a bit sad, and then gradually growing up I want to learn more about music and other emotions when playing music... It's from there, I chose music.

PREDESTINED FOR MUSIC EDUCATION

Can you share more about your predestined relationship with music education?

During my studies at the Ho Chi Minh City Conservatory of Music, in my final years, I had the opportunity to become a teaching assistant and teach after-school classes with her. And from there, I also realized my love for music teaching.

Do you have any other reasons that motivate you to become a person working in the music industry?

Perhaps since working as a teaching assistant, I feel the joy of seeing students' progress through each lesson. And that feeling has remained with me throughout my 10-year journey of teaching music. Looking at each student, to the groups of students I teach, the progress brings a great sense of happiness and satisfaction in me.

And to maintain that joy, do you have a special style or method of teaching?

For me, effective music learning is to let my emotions blend into the spirit of the song. According to the teaching method of Yamaha Music School, the teacher is the person who creates the appropriate musical atmosphere for each song that day. This is a way to create excitement and increase inspiration in class. I have continuously utilized this method in my 10 years of music teaching.

MUSIC IS FOR EVERYONE, NO MATTER WHAT GENDER YOU ARE

During both studying and teaching, do you have any memories of the difference between gender with music?

When I was studying at the Conservatory of Music, I noticed that boys were able to perform with the band very early. For girls, it may be because carrying a musical instrument is a bit cumbersome and complicated. Regarding music teaching, I noticed one point, that is: Women when teaching music may possibly connect differently with students. However, on the issue of gender equality, or the gender gap in teaching with me there is no experience. Any music learner, any music teacher is a separate individual who has a passion for music & has the right to express it.

Do you have a message or wish to change anything in the empowerment of women & children in the field of music?

To me, music is for all genders and everyone has the right to access and love music in their own way. Finding passion and living with music, being accessible, expressing emotions through melody - there are no barriers. I hope everyone can freely express their personality, thoughts and feelings through music.