Soul Institute of Arts (SIA)

PROFESSIONAL PIANO PERFORMANCE PATHWAY (PPPP) 2026 – A Specialized Program under the Career Pathways of SIA’s Faculty of Music

Launched in 2021, the Professional Piano Performance Pathway (PPPP) is a specialized program under the Career Pathways of the Faculty of Music at Soul Institute of Arts (SIA), designed for students who aspire to pursue piano seriously and professionally.

Through an intensive training pathway, PPPP helps students develop their performance skills, musical thinking, artistic confidence, and academic foundation, preparing them for future opportunities in music education, performance, and professional development in an international environment.

 

ADMISSIONS FOR SEMESTER I.2027

The admission information for the Professional Piano Performance Pathway (PPPP) for Semester II.2026 is as follows:

  • Application deadline: December 6, 2026
  • Audition dates: December 11–12, 2026
  • How to apply: Complete all required information in the “Register” section on this page.

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The Professional Piano Performance Pathway (PPPP) is an intensive piano training program under the Career Pathways of the Faculty of Music – Soul Institute of Arts (SIA), designed for students who aspire to pursue piano seriously and professionally.

The program consists of four levels:

  • SIA Young Talents – for students aged 8 to 11
  • SIA Young Artists – for students aged 12 to 15
  • SIA Young Concert Artists – for students aged 16 and above
  • SIA Piano Pedagogues – for students aged 18 and above

For a student entering the SIA Young Talents level, completing the full program takes 20 semesters, with each semester lasting six months. With its flexible structure, students may enter the admission process at different levels depending on their age and current ability. Students are also required to complete end-of-semester assessments in order to progress through the training pathway.

The PPPP curriculum is developed based on the standards of international conservatories and music universities, providing students with a strong foundation for pursuing advanced music education in the future. In addition to specialized Piano lessons, students also participate in Music Theory classes and specialized courses directly taught by the PPPP faculty.

One of the program’s key highlights is its combination of in-depth study of classical piano repertoire with an exploration of the historical, cultural, and social contexts in which these works were created. This approach enables students to develop a deeper understanding, analysis, and interpretation of music, while gradually shaping their own artistic identity through performance.

Performance is an integral part of the PPPP training pathway. Students at different levels regularly participate in performance opportunities appropriate to their abilities, allowing them to develop their performance skills, stage presence, and confidence in front of an audience.

Through its intensive training pathway and practical performance opportunities, PPPP prepares students for international auditions and admissions, as well as future career opportunities in professional music performance and music education.

BENEFITS OF THE PROGRAM

For PPPP Students Pursuing the Performance Pathway

  • Attend Studio Classes focused on enhancing performance skills through a Masterclass-style format.
  • Attend Historical Context in Piano Performance classes, exploring the history of music, the piano, and key topics related to the world of Classical Music.
  • Participate in the PPPP’s regular themed concerts.

For PPPP Students Pursuing the Pedagogy Pathway

  • Gain teaching experience throughout the program.
  • Attend specialized courses focused on piano pedagogy and teacher training.
  • Observe live teaching sessions conducted by faculty members.
  • Perform at the PPPP’s regular themed concerts and other events.

OUTCOMES FOR EACH GROUP LEVELS

SIA Young Talents

Designed for students aged 8–11

Semesters 1–8 (4 years) – Learning Outcomes:

  • Develop greater professionalism in concert performance.
  • Become familiar with and develop an understanding of various forms of piano repertoire, such as two-part counterpoint, sonatinas, and technical studies.
  • Gain a general understanding of audition requirements and processes.

SIA Young Artists

Designed for students aged 12–15

Semesters 9–16 (4 years) – Learning Outcomes:

  • Further develop the skills required to perform in professional-level concerts.
  • Develop the ability to recognize and confidently perform various types of piano repertoire, including three-part counterpoint, Classical sonatas, advanced Etudes, and more.
  • Gain a clearer understanding of the pathway toward becoming a professional performing artist.
  • Further develop the skills and knowledge required for auditions.

SIA Future Concert Artists

Designed for students aged 16 and above

Semesters 17–20 (2 years) – Learning Outcomes:

  • Continue to refine and strengthen stage performance skills.
  • Develop the skills and knowledge necessary to prepare for auditions at international music universities and conservatories.
  • Attain the level required to participate in international piano competitions.
  • Develop an in-depth understanding of piano repertoire throughout Classical music history, enabling students to independently approach and work on new repertoire.

SIA Piano Pedagogues

Designed for students aged 18 and above

Semesters 17–20 (2 years) – Learning Outcomes:

  • Develop the ability to design lesson plans for students of different ages and skill levels.
  • Acquire the essential skills and knowledge to teach Piano at music education centers of various scales.
  • Develop an in-depth understanding of piano repertoire throughout Classical music history.
  • Further refine and strengthen stage 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).

DANG BA MINH QUAN (2021 – present)

  • Third Prize Age Group 4 (from 12 to 13 y.o) in Henle Piano Competition 2026
  • Third Prize Category Professional B in 7th Steinway Youth Piano Competition Vietnam 2025, June 2025
  • Bösendorfer Prize & Third Prize Category Professional B in Vietnam International Piano Competition and Festival 2025, April 2025
  • First Prize Category Junior in 1st Armilla International Piano Competition – March 2025
  • Third Prize Group A in 1st International Ilze Graubina Piano Competition – March 2025
  • First Prize Professional Category in Vietnam’s Piano Got Talen, August 2024
  • Asian International School Gold Award – Professional Group – Category A in Saigon International University Piano Competition 2024, July 2024
  • 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
  • First Prize Category A in “Great Masters Piano Competition – Vladimir Horowitz Edition” – July 2021

 

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

 

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 – present)

  • Honorable Mention in Category Professional C in Vietnam’s Piano Got Talent Season 2, July 2025
  • Third prize in Category Chopin C in Vietnam International Piano Competition and Festival 2025, April 2025
  • 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

DOAN DINH NHAT (2024 – present)

  • Fourth prize in Category Chopin C in Vietnam International Piano Competition and Festival 2025, April 2025

 

HUYNH NGUYEN AN (2024 – present)

  • Additional Prize Age Group 3 (from 10 to 11 y.o) in Henle Piano Competition 2026.
  • Honorable Mention in Category Professional A in Vietnam’s Piano Got Talent Season 2, July 2025

    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