Do Thi Phuong Mai placed second in a classical singing competition inMoscow, Russia, at the end of November. She spoke to Viet Nam News abouther achievement as well as the many challenges of continuing along-distance relationship.
* Can you tell me moreabout the scale and special features of the competition in which youhave just become the runner-up?
It is a prestigiousgrand competition named after the world-renowned Russian singerRachmanninov and is held every three years to discover new classicalsinging talents. The competition drew participation from many studentsand postgraduates of famous Russian music institutes such as Tchaikovskiand Gneshin as well as from other European musical institutes and alsoattracted singers representing Chinese and Russian theatres. I'm one ofthe two representatives of the Gneshin Music Institute.
* What does winning the prize mean to you?
The prize includes two merit certificates for both the contestant andthe supervising professor. The cash award is neither too much nor toolittle but is sufficient to cover the entry fee, host a small party formy lecturers and friends, and afford the airplane fare back to Vietnamto enjoy the Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday with my husband.
The prize means a lot to me because it acknowledges my efforts instudying classical music. It is also a gift that recognises mydedication and the favourable circumstances created by my family, theMilitary University of Culture and Arts, the Ministry of Defence, andthe State, affording me the opportunity to study abroad.
* How did you feel before entering the competition?
When my professor, who is also the head of the department of vocalmusic at Gneshin National Music Institute, enrolled me in thecompetition, I felt both happy and nervous, wondering whether I wascompetent enough for such a grand contest.
* What did you do to overcome your nervousness?
While preparing for the contest, I consulted my family and Kim Phuc,my teacher in Vietnam, and received huge support from them. I alsocontacted lecturer Duc Trinh to ask for his permission to use his song"Mien xa tham" (Far-away land), because the contestants had to performone national song besides performing three classical works.
When I practiced under the instruction of my lecturer, I was scolded alot. At times, she wanted to withdraw me from the contest, which mademe feel very sad but also more determined, and later, fortunately,everything became smoother.
* What is your plan for studying and working in the future?
I'm going to further my studies and try to complete my doctorate atthe Gneshin Music Institute in another year, and then I will return toVietnam to continue teaching and performing and will have a baby.
* What is your impression of Russia and the Gneshin Music Institute?
I have been living in Russia for over two years. My impression is thatRussia is very beautiful, romantic and ancient. At first, I felt prettybewildered because my Russian was not very good, and I'm the onlyVietnamese student in the school. But now, everything is OK.
The study environment at the Gneshin Music Institute is very positive.There are many excellent students there who have continually woninternational prizes. I think I have to try harder to catch up withtheir method of education at the institute because I need to improve andperfect my skills.
* What do you remember most about Vietnam?
It would have to be coffee. Russia also has coffee, but it is not as flavourful.
* After winning the first prize at the national concert-opera singingcontest in 2009, you worked as a lecturer at the Hanoi -based MilitaryUniversity of Culture and Arts, and then, you were assigned to studyabroad in Russia. Therefore, you have been living apart from yourhusband for over two years. You two had to part ways soon after yourmarriage. How do you overcome these difficulties?
Wehad loved each other for eight years before we got married; then, I wasassigned to study abroad six months later. To be honest, I did notthink I would be assigned so soon, so I felt quite bewildered. However,my family and especially my husband have strongly encouraged me to studyand absorb new knowledge to pass down to the next generation ofsingers. We both encouraged each other to overcome our difficulties. Myhusband still keeps lecturing at the university and performing forshows. Sometimes, I'm invited back to perform in Vietnam, which is anopportunity for us to reunite. However, we still chat online with eachother every day. The era of technology has greatly narrowed ourseparation.
* Do you prefer fame or talent?
In my opinion, all artists long for fame. But what's more important isthat they have to be truly dedicated to the art. An artist has to loveand be passionate about his career and must have both responsibility andtalent.-VNA
* Can you tell me moreabout the scale and special features of the competition in which youhave just become the runner-up?
It is a prestigiousgrand competition named after the world-renowned Russian singerRachmanninov and is held every three years to discover new classicalsinging talents. The competition drew participation from many studentsand postgraduates of famous Russian music institutes such as Tchaikovskiand Gneshin as well as from other European musical institutes and alsoattracted singers representing Chinese and Russian theatres. I'm one ofthe two representatives of the Gneshin Music Institute.
* What does winning the prize mean to you?
The prize includes two merit certificates for both the contestant andthe supervising professor. The cash award is neither too much nor toolittle but is sufficient to cover the entry fee, host a small party formy lecturers and friends, and afford the airplane fare back to Vietnamto enjoy the Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday with my husband.
The prize means a lot to me because it acknowledges my efforts instudying classical music. It is also a gift that recognises mydedication and the favourable circumstances created by my family, theMilitary University of Culture and Arts, the Ministry of Defence, andthe State, affording me the opportunity to study abroad.
* How did you feel before entering the competition?
When my professor, who is also the head of the department of vocalmusic at Gneshin National Music Institute, enrolled me in thecompetition, I felt both happy and nervous, wondering whether I wascompetent enough for such a grand contest.
* What did you do to overcome your nervousness?
While preparing for the contest, I consulted my family and Kim Phuc,my teacher in Vietnam, and received huge support from them. I alsocontacted lecturer Duc Trinh to ask for his permission to use his song"Mien xa tham" (Far-away land), because the contestants had to performone national song besides performing three classical works.
When I practiced under the instruction of my lecturer, I was scolded alot. At times, she wanted to withdraw me from the contest, which mademe feel very sad but also more determined, and later, fortunately,everything became smoother.
* What is your plan for studying and working in the future?
I'm going to further my studies and try to complete my doctorate atthe Gneshin Music Institute in another year, and then I will return toVietnam to continue teaching and performing and will have a baby.
* What is your impression of Russia and the Gneshin Music Institute?
I have been living in Russia for over two years. My impression is thatRussia is very beautiful, romantic and ancient. At first, I felt prettybewildered because my Russian was not very good, and I'm the onlyVietnamese student in the school. But now, everything is OK.
The study environment at the Gneshin Music Institute is very positive.There are many excellent students there who have continually woninternational prizes. I think I have to try harder to catch up withtheir method of education at the institute because I need to improve andperfect my skills.
* What do you remember most about Vietnam?
It would have to be coffee. Russia also has coffee, but it is not as flavourful.
* After winning the first prize at the national concert-opera singingcontest in 2009, you worked as a lecturer at the Hanoi -based MilitaryUniversity of Culture and Arts, and then, you were assigned to studyabroad in Russia. Therefore, you have been living apart from yourhusband for over two years. You two had to part ways soon after yourmarriage. How do you overcome these difficulties?
Wehad loved each other for eight years before we got married; then, I wasassigned to study abroad six months later. To be honest, I did notthink I would be assigned so soon, so I felt quite bewildered. However,my family and especially my husband have strongly encouraged me to studyand absorb new knowledge to pass down to the next generation ofsingers. We both encouraged each other to overcome our difficulties. Myhusband still keeps lecturing at the university and performing forshows. Sometimes, I'm invited back to perform in Vietnam, which is anopportunity for us to reunite. However, we still chat online with eachother every day. The era of technology has greatly narrowed ourseparation.
* Do you prefer fame or talent?
In my opinion, all artists long for fame. But what's more important isthat they have to be truly dedicated to the art. An artist has to loveand be passionate about his career and must have both responsibility andtalent.-VNA
