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| Dr. Nguyen Hoang Tinh Uyen receives the Gold Prize in the Vocal category (Class F) at the Crescendo International Music Festival 2026. Photo from Dr. Nguyen Hoang Tinh Uyen |
Proving herself on the international stage
After Sao Mai 2013, Dr. Nguyen Hoang Tinh Uyen was largely absent from music competitions. As a lecturer at the University of Education, The University of Danang, she devoted most of her time to research projects and professional activities. For this reason, her decision to register for the Crescendo International Music Festival 2026 came as a surprise to many of her colleagues.
The Crescendo International Music Festival 2026 brought together more than 1,300 domestic contestants and nearly 70 international contestants. The judging panel consisted of professors and artists from many countries. For her competition performance, Nguyen Hoang Tinh Uyen chose the song Never Enough. The piece is considered artistically demanding, requiring performers to possess a combination of skills: solid vocal technique, breath control, the ability to navigate a wide vocal range, as well as the capacity to convey the character's emotions and inner world.
To prepare for the competition, she practiced in the early mornings or in the evenings after work. At the age of 36, sharing the stage with many younger contestants also brought a certain amount of pressure. However, she viewed it as an opportunity to learn and reinvent herself.
“I participated with the mindset of someone who wanted to learn, challenge myself, and renew myself. I believe that age is not a barrier. As long as we still have passion and continue to practice, every competition is an opportunity to grow,” she shared.
Looking back on Crescendo 2026, what Nguyen Hoang Tinh Uyen remembers most is not only the Gold Prize, but also the days spent rehearsing with the symphony orchestra, the professional discussions with the judging panel, and the opportunity to meet artists from many countries.
“The moment my name was announced as the recipient of the Gold Prize at the Crescendo International Music Festival 2026 was truly a very special one for me. It was not only the joy of having my efforts recognized, but also an emotional moment after a long journey of preparation, from days of diligent practice and studying the song to each technical adjustment session with experts, all in pursuit of the most complete performance possible,” Dr. Tinh Uyen said emotionally.
Nurturing a love of music
Hue was where the young doctoral scholar Nguyen Hoang Tinh Uyen's musical thinking and professional approach took shape. Her years of study at the Hue Academy of Music gave her deeper exposure to folk music and traditional music, while nurturing her love for the cultural values of her homeland. This is also why, although she now works at the University of Education, The University of Danang, she continues to devote considerable time to researching music education connected with folk and traditional music.
In the classroom, she always seeks ways to bring traditional values closer to students through approaches suited to younger generations. In her view, learning folk music is more effective when learners understand the cultural context and the meaning of each melody, and when they are introduced to the music through a variety of engaging formats. From there, she has pursued research into innovative teaching methods while also exploring the potential applications of artificial intelligence (AI) in music education, with the aim of helping learners develop their skills while preserving their ability to appreciate and creatively engage with art.
Alongside her research, Nguyen Hoang Tinh Uyen continues to perform. For her, stage experience is always practically valuable for a music educator. Every performance program and every professional competition provides additional experience in technique, performance psychology, and approaches to interpreting musical works. She then brings these lessons into the classroom, helping students better understand the demands of the profession and gain greater confidence as they enter the real-world working environment.
“If I had to choose one thing I would always want to pursue, it would be to become someone who inspires others through music. The value of music does not lie only in awards, but also in its ability to touch emotions, awaken aspirations, and spread positive things to others,” Dr. Tinh Uyen expressed.
Dr. Nguyen Hoang Tinh Uyen graduated from the Hue Academy of Music and is currently Head of the Music Education Program at the University of Education, The University of Danang. She previously won Third Prize at Sao Mai 2013, a Gold Medal at an International Choir Competition, and a B Prize at the National Music Festival (2025), as well as the Gold Prize in the Vocal category at the Crescendo International Music Festival 2026.