SMPAA

Professional Piano Pathways Program (PPPP) – 2023

In 2021, SIA launched an advanced piano program called Professional Piano Pathways Program (PPPP) with the mission of opening pathways for piano students who are focused and passionate about their studies and are hoping to pursue a career as a concert pianist. Besides, PPPP also accompanies students so that after completing the entire program, each student can firmly become a quality piano teacher, meeting the need for different levels of training.

SIA is proud to offer the PPPP as the first such program in Vietnam and to forge this pathway which will allow talented and dedicated young pianists from Vietnam to make their mark on the international concert stage.

ADMISSIONS FOR TERM I.2025​

ADMISSIONS FOR TERM I.2025 ​

The Professional Piano Pathways Program (PPPP) audition for Term I.2025 will have the following details: ​​

  • Registration deadline: November 22nd, 2024.  ​
  • Audition date: November 29th – 30th, 2024.  ​
  • How to register: Fill out the application form in this page’s “Application Form” section.​

In 2021, SIA launched an advanced piano program called the Professional Piano Pathways Program (PPPP) with the mission of opening pathways for piano students who are focused and passionate about their studies and are hoping to pursue a career as a concert pianist. Besides, PPPP also accompanies students so that after completing the entire program, each student can firmly become a quality piano teacher, meeting the need for different levels of training.

The program consists of four levels:

  • SIA Young Talents for students ages 8 to 11
  • SIA Young Artists for students ages 12-15
  • SIA Young Concert Artists for students ages 16 and above)
  • SIA Piano Pedagogues for students ages 18 years and above.

The total time for a student from the SIA Young Talents group to complete the entire program is 20 semesters (6 months per semester). With the open orientation of this program, students can take the entrance exam at different levels depending on their ages and always need to pass the exam at the end of each semester to continue their studies.

The curriculum for the program is based on the requirements of international conservatories and music universities in order that students be prepared to audition for entry into such schools at the end of the program. In addition to piano lessons, the students will take music theory and be part of a regular studio class taught by the PPPP Faculty. A particularly important part of the program is the integration of general knowledge about standard piano repertoire and history as an ongoing part of the curriculum. Students will gain an understanding of how history, culture, and the other arts influenced the music they are learning, which will allow them to fully express the meaning of each piece as well as find ways to bring their own personality into their playing. This is a crucial part of the program as it will make each student a distinctive artist able to perform with the kind of artistic depth that will set them apart from other young pianists.

Another important part of this program will be both the opportunities and the requirement to perform in public on a regular basis. Students at each level will be required to give a public recital in order to develop their performance skills. This program provides an outstanding opportunity for young aspiring pianists who are truly dedicated to developing their skills to prepare for auditions to major conservatories and music universities around the world. This is their pathway to a concert career if they so desire.

SIA is proud to offer the PPPP as the first such program in Vietnam and to forge this pathway which will allow talented and dedicated young pianists from Vietnam to make their mark on the international concert stage.

BENEFITS OF THE PROGRAM

For PPPP Students who want to pursue the Performing Pathway
  • Studio classes that focus on improving performance skills based on the Masterclass model.
  • Piano Repertoire and Historical Context class that focuses on the historical context, the piano, and other topics related to the world of Classical music.
  • Perform in periodical PPPP concerts and other events.
For PPPP Students who want to pursue the Pedagogy Pathway
  • Gain teaching experience during the course of the program.
  • Attend intensive piano teacher training courses.
  • Observe piano lessons led by piano faculty members.
  • Perform in periodical PPPP concerts and other events.

OUTCOMES FOR EACH GROUP LEVELS

SIA Young Talents (8 to 11 years old) Term 1 – Term 8 (4 years) outcomes:
  • Increased ability to perform professionally in concert.
  • Understand varieties of piano works: 2 Part polyphonic works, sonatines, and technical studies.
  • Get acquainted with the general knowledge of the auditions.
SIA Young Artists (12 to 15 years old) Term 9 – Term 16 (4 years) Outcomes:
  • Prepared to perform on the professional concert stage.
  • Understand the important forms of piano works: 3 Part polyphonic works, classical sonatas, virtuoso etudes,….
  • Be familiar with the professional pathways which lead to becoming a concert pianist.
  • Refined audition skills.
SIA Future Concert Artists (16 years old and above) Term 17 – Term 20 (2 years) Outcomes:
  • Prepared to perform on the professional concert stage.
  • Prepared to audition for international music universities/conservatories.
  • Prepared to take part in international piano competitions.
  • Gained sufficient knowledge about major piano works throughout classical music history, to be able to study a piece of music on their own.
SIA Piano Pedagogues (18 years old and above) Term 17 – Term 20 (2 years) Outcomes:
  • Demonstrate the ability to create instructional plans for students of various levels and ages.
  • Fully equipped to be ready to teach piano lessons in music schools of different scales.
  • Gain insights into the history of classical music for piano repertory.
  • Improve and perfect piano performance skills.

Mr. Duc-Anh Nguyen

Head of the Piano Department at SMPAA – Head of the Professional Piano Pathways Program

 Biography

Duc-Anh Nguyen was born into a musical family in Hanoi, Vietnam. He started learning piano at the age of seven at the Vietnam National Academy of music. Since 2013, he has continued his study at Freiburg Music University Germany. Between 2015 – 2017 he completed a bachelor’s and master’s degree with distinction for piano performance under the instruction of Professor Tibor Szász and Professor Éric Le Sage.

In recent years, Duc Anh won a prize from the “Hanoi Chopin Association” at the 2nd International Piano Competition in Hanoi in 2012. From then to 2014 he won the second prize (1st prize not awarded) in the “Alkan-Zimmerman International Piano Competition” in Athens, Greece. A year later, Duc Anh received a certificate of merit from the minister of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam for the above impressive achievements. During this time, he worked in Masterclasses with renowned musicians such as Robert Hill, Denis Pascal, and Bernhard Wulff.

Duc Anh was also a guest artist at the Autumn International Festival in Ho Chi Minh City in 2015;  the Gina Bachauer Music Festival in Corfu, Greece; and the Long Lake Festival in Lugano, Switzerland. He was invited to perform with the Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra, Hanoi Chamber Orchestra, and Hanoi Philharmonic Orchestra. At the end of 2017, he was one of the four founders of the first Vietnamese Classical Music Startup named “Maestoso”.

Duc-Anh Nguyen is known as one of the leading pianists in his country. As an enthusiastic and passionate musician, Duc-Anh has always desired to perform uncommon but high-quality works by forgotten composers. He was the first person who introduced Charles-Valentin Alkan’s piano works to Vietnamese audiences. He is also honored to be the first Vietnamese Blüthner Artist. Since 2020, he has been working in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam as the Head of the Piano Department at Soul Institute of Arts.

Mr. Nguyen Lu Hiep 

PPPP Teacher

 Biography

Mr. Lu Hiep started learning piano at the age of 8 and pursuing professional studies in Piano Performance from the age of 16 at the Ho Chi Minh City Conservatory of Music. He got his bachelor’s degree with distinction under the guidance of Dr. Dang Ngoc Giang Quan and a master’s degree under the guidance of Dr. Eva Joo Eun Young. In 2020, he also completed another degree in Composition, under the guidance of Dr. Tran Thanh Ha. During his studies, he attended Masterclasses of many international artists such as Joop Celis, Yaron Kohlberg, Nguyen Bich Tra, Tamas Ungar. 

Mr. Lu Hiep has been a piano teacher at Soul Institute of Arts for a number of years. Besides teaching, Mr. Lu Hiep is also an active musician, having performed widely in Ho Chi Minh City with non-profit organizations such as Saigon Classical Music Group, Germer Team. He participated in Saigon Chamber Music 2015, 2016 with artists Atle Sponberg (Norway), Zoe Martlew (UK), Notos Quartett (Germany) as well as in many other concerts. Currently, Lu Hiep is also a visiting lecturer in the Piano Department and the Department of Western Musical Instruments at the Ho Chi Minh City Conservatory of Music. 

SIA Young Talents

Recommended Age: 8 – 11 years old

GROUP 1A (8 – 9 years old)

Approximately 5-minute performance including at least 2 pieces (one must be a fast piece).

GROUP 1B (10 – 11 years old)

Approximately 6- to 8-minute performance including:

  • One 2-part polyphonic work (Notebook for Anna Magdalena Bach, Bach Little Preludes, 2 Part Inventions BWV 772-786,…
  • Either the 1st movement or the 2nd & the 3rd movements of a sonatine.
  • One technical piece (etudes, studies,…).
  • Remaining time: free choice (Classical piece).
  • Passed the Music Theory Test (same level as ABRSM or Trinity Grade 1).

SIA Young Artists

Recommended Age: 12 – 15 years old

GROUP 2A (12 – 13 years old)

Approximately 8- to 10-minute performance including:

  • One 2- or 3-part polyphonic work (from Bach 2-part Inventions BWV 772-786, Sinfonia BWV 787-801, a piece from Bach French/English Suites BWV 806-817, Scarlatti Sonatas, …)
  • 1 etude by Czerny Op. 299 or etude at the same level of difficulty or higher.
  • Either the 1st movement or the 2nd & the 3rd movements of a sonatine or sonata.
  • Remaining time: free choice (Classical or Romantic piece).
  • Passed the Music Theory Test (same level as ABRSM or Trinity Grade 3).
GROUP 2B (14 – 15 years old)

Approximately 12- to 15-minute performance including:

  • One 3-part polyphonic work (from Bach Well-Tempered Clavier BWV 846-893 in 3-parts, Sinfonia BWV 787-801, a piece from Bach French/English Suites BWV 806-817, Scarlatti Sonatas, …).
  • One etude by Czerny Op. 740, Moskowski Op. 72, Burgmüller Op. 109 or etude at the same level of difficulty or higher.
  • Either the 1st movement or the 2nd & the 3rd movements of a classical sonata.
  • Remaining time: free choice (Classical or Romantic piece).
  • Passed the Music Theory Test (same level as ABRSM or Trinity Grade 4).

SIA Future Concert Artists

GROUP 3 (16 years old and above)

Approximately 15- to 20-minute performance including:

  • One 3- or 4-part polyphonic work (from Bach Well-Tempered Clavier BWV 846-893 in 3- or 4-parts, Toccatas BWV 910-916, a piece from a Bach Partita BWV 825-830, Scarlatti Sonatas, …).
  • One virtuoso work (etudes by Chopin, Liszt, Alkan, Saint-Saëns, Debussy, Scriabin, Rachmaninov, etc …; Toccatas by Schumann, Prokofiev, …).
  • Either the 1st movement or the 2nd & the 3rd movements of a Classical piano sonata.
  • Remaining time: free choice.
  • Passed the Music Theory Test (same level as ABRSM or Trinity Grade 5).

SIA Piano Pedagogues

GROUP 4 (18 years old and above)

Approximately 15 to 18-minute performance including:

  • One 3-part polyphonic work (from Bach Well-Tempered Clavier BWV 846-893 in 3-parts, Sinfonia BWV 787-801, a piece from Bach French/English Suites BWV 806-817, Scarlatti Sonatas, …)
  • One etude by Czerny Op. 740, Moskowski Op. 72, Burgmüller Op. 109 or etude at the same level of difficulty or higher.
  • Either the 1st movement or the 2nd & the 3rd movements of a classical sonata.
  • Remaining time: free choice (Classical or Romantic piece).
  • Passed the Music Theory Test (same level as ABRSM or Trinity Grade 5).

LE HOANG DANG DUY (2021 – 2023)

  • Major in Classical Piano Performance at Walnut Hill School for the Arts (MA, USA) – 2023​

  • Scholarships from four prestigious Arts Boarding High Schools including Interlochen Arts Academy, Idyllwild Arts Academy, Colburn Music Academy, Walnut Hill School for the Arts – 2023​

  • Excellence Award Category C Professional Class in “6th Steinway Youth Piano Competition Vietnam 2022” – July 2022

  • Full scholarship for Curtis Mentor Network Summer Session II by Curtis Institute of Music – August 2021

  • Special Mention Category C in “Young Euregio Piano Award International Piano Competition” – August 2021

  • Second Prize Group A – Bach/Scarlatti in “Champion’s Keyboard International Piano Competition” – July 2021

  • Honorary Mention Category II in “Concurs International de Piano – Chopin Session Felanitx 2021” – July 2021

DANG BA MINH QUAN (2021 – present)

  • Second (Absolute) Prize Category Infantile in 5th International Piano Island Competition – December 2022
  • Second Prize Category A in “Young Verona International Piano Competition” – October 2021
  • 1st Prize Category A in “Great Masters Piano Competition – Vladimir Horowitz Edition” – July 2021
  • Asian International School Gold Award – Professional Group – Category A in Saigon International University Piano Competition 2024, July 2024.

NGUYEN BAO NGHI ANH (2021 – 2022)

  • Second Prize Category B Professional Class & Audience Prize in “6th Steinway Youth Piano Competition Vietnam 2022” – July 2022
  • Second Prize Category B in “Young Verona International Piano Competition” – October 2021
  • Bronze Prize – Category Rising Star III in “Joyeux Music International Piano Festivals and Competitions 2021” – September 2021

NGUYEN TRAN DUC MINH (2022 – 2024)

  • Second prize in Category Ensemble 17 & Under in Gold Star International Music Competition, April 2024.
  • Second prize in Category Piano Solo 13 – 17 in Gold Star International Music Competition, April 2024.

PHAM NAM PHUONG (2023 – nay)

  • Second prize in Category Ensemble 17 & Under in Gold Star International Music Competition, April 2024.
  • Honorable Mention in Category Piano Solo 13 – 17 in Gold Star International Music Competition, April 2024.

    For Applicant under 16 years old, the Registor Information is the Guardian Information.
    For Applicant over 16 years old, the Registor Information is the Applicant Information.

    Full name *
    Email address *
    Contact number *
    Home address *
    Please choose *

    Check the box of the program to which you are applying (please reference the appendix for detailed requirements)
    The age ranges for each program are suggested. There may be exceptions according to the level of each candidate

    SMPAA Young Talents (from 8 – 11 years old)
    SMPAA Young Artists (from 12 – 15 years old)
    SMPAA Future Concert Artists (16 years old and above)
    SMPAA Piano Pedagogues (18 years old and above) 
    Years of piano study *
    Summary of piano education (certificates, awards, performing experience): *
    Audition pieces (Please reference the appendix to see the requirements according to age): *

    Soul Institute of Arts (SIA)

    Address: 125 Pasteur, Vo Thi Sau Ward, District 3, HCMC

    Tel: (028) 7 101 7778

    Email: admissions@sia.edu.vn

    • 13/12/2022