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Not having learned the piano from childhood, having graduated with a degree in Business Administration and holding a stable office job, Tran Thao Uyen still chose to step out of her comfort zone to start over with music. In her early 30s, from self-exploring sessions beside the keyboard after work, Uyen pursued a Piano major at the Faculty of Performing Arts, Nguyen Tat Thanh University and graduated with valedictorian honors and a GPA of 3.75.
For many, the piano is a journey that usually begins very early. The years of finger exercises, reading sheet music, honing techniques, and performing are typically tied to a music learner’s childhood. Consequently, quite a few people believe that if one only begins learning the piano as an adult, it is very difficult to go far, and even harder to pursue music at the university level.
Yet, Tran Thao Uyen – the valedictorian of the Piano major, Faculty of Performing Arts, Nguyen Tat Thanh University – has proven the exact opposite. Uyen did not come from a family with an artistic tradition, did not learn the piano from a young age, and did not enter music through a pre-planned pathway.
Before becoming a Piano student at NTTU, Uyen graduated with a degree in Business Administration from Da Lat University. After graduation, like many other young people, Uyen left Da Lat for Ho Chi Minh City to start her career, carrying the desire to find a more dynamic environment and more development opportunities for herself.
Uyen’s first job was an executive assistant at a music school teaching piano in District 2. At that time, Uyen only thought about successfully completing the assigned administrative tasks. The piano, to Uyen back then, was still an unfamiliar world.
But sometimes, a major turning point begins from very small things.
Every day, the piano sounds echoing from the classrooms opened a new door inside Uyen. From curiosity, Uyen began to sit down in front of the instrument, exploring the very first notes by herself. The first piece that Uyen truly wanted to conquer was Moonlight Sonata. Previously, Uyen had wanted to play this piece on the guitar but faced many difficulties. Upon encountering the piano, Uyen felt everything became clearer and more intuitive.
Because she was still slow at reading sheet music, Uyen had to memorize each section by heart to focus entirely on her hands. Many days after work, she would still sit by the piano to practice.
“Many days after work, I still stayed behind by the piano to practice. Making progress bit by bit every day, about a month later, I was able to play the whole piece, even though it was still a bit bumpy,” Uyen recalled.
From that moment on, the piano was no longer just sounds echoing from unfamiliar classrooms. The piano became a part of Uyen’s life, a place where she found joy, balance, and later on, a serious career path.
Tran Thao Uyen alongside outstanding students honored by the Faculty of Music – Cinema, Nguyen Tat Thanh University at the 2024 – 2025 school year review program, marking a journey of relentless effort on the path of pursuing art
Leaving the Comfort Zone to Start Over with Music
The affinity with the piano came to Tran Thao Uyen naturally, but turning that affinity into a serious academic choice was not an easy decision. While Uyen was practicing on her own, a teacher at the music school noticed and proactively guided her once a week. Nearly a year later, seeing Uyen make rapid progress, the teacher oriented Uyen to participate in international certificate exams.
From someone who never thought they would “touch” a piano, Uyen began entering the first challenges of a music learner and achieved good results. Even so, at that time, Uyen still viewed the piano as a personal hobby, a friend helping her relieve stress after long working days.
Later on, when switching to secretarial and administrative jobs, Uyen’s life became somewhat more stable. But the more stable it got, the more Uyen realized something was missing inside her heart. She no longer felt as enthusiastic as during the days she worked in a musical environment. Alongside her office job, Uyen began taking on part-time piano teaching under her teacher’s guidance.
Her first students brought great joy to Uyen. But the more she taught, the more Uyen understood that if she wanted to go far with music, love alone was not enough. A music educator needs a structured specialized foundation, methodology, techniques, pedagogical thinking, and the capability for long-term professional development.
Not having the advantage of learning the piano from childhood, and with a time frame of exposure to the instrument not as long as many peers, Uyen used to feel insecure. Yet, that very insecurity did not cause her to stop. On the contrary, it became the motivation for Uyen to seek a formal training environment, where she could learn the piano in a more structured and serious manner.
The advice of her teacher back then became a turning point. She told Uyen that past degrees are not everything; they are merely recognition for a journey already passed. What matters more is what one learns in the next journey. If you truly want to develop with music, boldly pursue a bachelor’s degree in Piano to expand your knowledge, develop yourself, and mature further with the profession.
For Uyen, applying to Nguyen Tat Thanh University was not only choosing a new major, but also a decision to step out of her own comfort zone. In her early 30s, choosing to return to lecture halls meant facing many pressures: age, tuition costs, practice time, making a living, and even the fear of whether she could keep up with the curriculum.
But after all, Uyen still chose to start.
“If I didn’t try, I would probably regret it a lot later on,” Uyen shared.
And that very decision, which seemed like a “crossroad detour,” brought Uyen to a new journey at the Faculty of Performing Arts, Nguyen Tat Thanh University. From a girl who once studied Business Administration and was accustomed to office work, Uyen became a Piano student, graduating with a GPA of 3.75 and achieving the title of major valedictorian.
To Uyen, that was not just a degree. It was proof that a career can be restarted, passion can be awakened at any time, and if there is a suitable training environment, learners can entirely transform their love for art into real professional capacity.
NTTU Piano Major: Learning to Perform, Teach, and Practice the Profession Long-term
According to Tran Thao Uyen, what impressed her most when studying at the Faculty of Performing Arts, Nguyen Tat Thanh University is that the training program is highly systematic, practical, and requires students to be serious about their choice.
The Piano major at NTTU does not stop at training the ability to play the instrument. Students approach the classical piano foundation systematically, while also learning highly applicable contents such as popular music, jazz, harmony, composition, accompaniment, and piece interpretation across various styles.
This is a crucial advantage in the context of today’s music market, which requires learners not only to know how to perform, but also to be flexible in teaching, creating, organizing artistic activities, and developing personal projects. From this training foundation, Piano students at NTTU can expand their pathways post-graduation, from performing, teaching, establishing music centers to management-business in the field of arts or developing their own music projects.
Alongside specialized piano modules with strict academic requirements, students also study general subjects, complementary skills, and contents that directly serve their profession. It is this method of training that helps students not only possess performance capacity, but also step-by-step form professional practice mindsets, adaptability, and long-term development orientations in the field of arts.
From someone who once graduated in Business Administration and did office work, Tran Thao Uyen boldly changed direction, pursuing music seriously at NTTU
This is also the advantage of a multi-disciplinary university like NTTU. Art students do not learn in an isolated space, but have opportunities to expose themselves to a dynamic training environment where fields such as economics, communication, technology, education, and arts co-exist. For piano learners, this helps expand their professional perspective, especially in a context where today’s music artists, lecturers, or art practitioners need expertise, communication skills, organizational thinking, personal branding, and the ability to connect with the market.
However, that path was by no means easy. Uyen stated that the specialized subject was the part that created the greatest pressure. Normally, students only have about a month and a half to refine a piece and enter the examination. Each piece requires a serious investment in technique, musical sensibility, performance ability, and emotional control. That forces students to practice with high intensity while still completing other modules on schedule.
“The curriculum demands time management skills, discipline, and tremendous perseverance. But looking back, I realize that very pressure helped myself and fellow students progress very quickly,” Uyen said.
If previously the piano was just a hobby, at NTTU, Uyen learned to approach music in a structured, serious, and professional way. She does not just learn to play a piece, but learns how to understand the piece, hone correct techniques, control performance emotions, and build a foundation to be able to teach and practice the profession long-term.
What is special is that Tran Thao Uyen never set a goal to become the valedictorian. Her goal was simpler: to complete each piece as best as possible and progress further than her own self of yesterday.
Not claiming to possess prominent natural talent, Uyen relied on perseverance and a never-give-up spirit. During certain phases, she had to sleep less, reduce outside work, and dedicate more time to practicing the piano while still maintaining an income to cover tuition fees and living expenses.
A 24-hour day seemed insufficient when working, studying, and practicing simultaneously. In that circumstance, Uyen learned how to prioritize. She always asked herself: “What is the most important thing at this moment?”. Once she had the answer, she dedicated the majority of her time and energy to that.
“Work can be sought and re-developed later on, but the university years only happen once. If I don’t utilize the learning opportunity well, I will easily miss out on valuable knowledge and experiences,” Uyen shared.
Alongside personal effort, Uyen believes that the companionship of her teachers was one of the crucial factors helping her go until the end. The Faculty of Performing Arts lecturing staff not only teaches specialized knowledge but also closely follows the learning process, encouraging and guiding students in every stage.
For a late starter like Uyen, that held even more meaning. Uyen remembers best that her guiding teacher always emphasized building correct techniques right from the start, from sitting posture, hand placement to how to apply force when playing. Thanks to that, she avoided many mistakes that could have a long-term impact.
“I realize that in music, diligence alone is not enough. If you spend a great deal of time practicing but practice with wrong techniques, you might still play the piece, but in the long run, it is easy to sustain injuries or form habits that are difficult to correct,” Uyen noted.
Commenting on Tran Thao Uyen, Meritorious Artist, Master Nguyen Thi Anh Tuyet – Dean of the Faculty of Performing Arts, Nguyen Tat Thanh University stated that Uyen is a special case because her starting point was unlike the majority of Piano students. Uyen came to the piano later, and had to balance studying, practicing, and personal life, yet always demonstrated a serious, receptive, and resilient learning spirit.
“What I treasure in Uyen is not just the academic results or the valedictorian title, but her attitude toward the profession. Uyen knows she started late, so she always tries harder, listens closer, and patiently corrects every small error during practice. With the piano, if you only have passion but lack discipline, it is very difficult to go far. Uyen has the fondness, the patience, and the sense of responsibility toward her choice,” Meritorious Artist, Master Nguyen Thi Anh Tuyet shared.
According to Meritorious Artist, Master Nguyen Thi Anh Tuyet, Tran Thao Uyen’s journey also demonstrates the meaning of art training in a university environment. Learners are not only trained in performance techniques, but are also oriented in professional thinking, learning methodologies, and long-term development capabilities.
“Each student has a different starting point. What matters is that they are placed in a suitable environment, with teachers accompanying them and enough determination to go until the end. Uyen’s story is a beautiful testament to that spirit,” Meritorious Artist, Master Nguyen Thi Anh Tuyet said.
Along with the faculty staff, facilities are also a big plus for Piano students at NTTU. The Faculty is equipped with many classrooms and good quality pianos to serve learning and practicing. For students who live in rented rooms or do not yet have the conditions to own a private piano, this is practical support, helping them have more practice space outside of formal class hours.
In that environment, students do not just learn to pass exams, but are trained to become professionals with a foundation, with mindset, and with the ability to adapt to reality.
From the Graduation Stage to the Message “It Is Never Too Late”
Throughout her learning journey at NTTU, the milestone that Tran Thao Uyen remembers most is the graduation exam. This was the first time she had to perform a complete recital program consisting of 5 pieces, with a duration ranging from 30 to 45 minutes.
For a Piano student, that is a massive challenge. The performer not only needs to memorize a lengthy repertoire of pieces, but must also maintain concentration, control emotions, and keep physical strength and spirit stable throughout the entire program.
Uyen still remembers her early days entering university, when just performing a single piece lasting about 5 to 10 minutes already placed pressure and stress on her. Every time stepping onto the stage was a moment of nervousness. But through each semester, each exam, and each recital, Uyen gradually learned how to control herself, maintain composure, and continue playing music even when her heart was still shaking.
Regarding confidence when performing, Uyen believes that it is not a feeling of being completely devoid of fear. Confidence, to her, is when you can still step onto the stage, complete the performance, and control yourself even when anxious.
Therefore, when completing the graduation program, what made Uyen happiest was not just the score, but the feeling of realizing that she had walked a very long way. From a person who only got acquainted with the piano as an adult, she was able to stand on stage and complete a serious, extensive, and fulfilling recital program.
Watching classmates successfully complete their examinations, Uyen felt even more clearly the value of the years spent studying at the Faculty of Performing Arts, Nguyen Tat Thanh University. That was not merely the result of each student’s effort, but also the devotion, dedication, and patience of the teachers throughout the training process.
To Uyen, the graduation exam was not simply a final course test. It was a milestone marking the maturity of a music learner on the artistic path they chose.
Also from that journey, Uyen wants to send a message to music lovers: it is never too late to start learning something you truly love.
Uyen did not learn the piano from childhood, did not come from an artistic family, graduated in a completely different major, and once thought her life would be tied to office work. If that day Uyen believed she was too old to learn the piano, she would not have had the opportunity to experience the memorable years at NTTU, would not have had the chance to stand on stage performing, and could not become the version of herself today.
Of course, starting late will bring its own difficulties. Learners must exert more effort, be more persistent, and sometimes accept moving slower than others. But to Uyen, what matters is not when you begin, but whether you have enough courage to begin.
Uyen particularly loves the quote by Steve Jobs: “Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish.” To her, sometimes humans need a little bit of “hunger” and a little bit of “foolishness” to dare to step out of their comfort zone, to dare to pursue what others deem impossible or too late.
Tran Thao Uyen’s story inspires the spirit of daring to start over, daring to pursue passion and shining on the artistic path at NTTU
Sending a message to young music lovers considering the Piano major at the Faculty of Performing Arts, Nguyen Tat Thanh University, Uyen advises: if you truly love the piano, boldly begin. The Piano major at NTTU not only trains the classical foundation systematically, but also helps students approach many highly applicable areas such as popular music, jazz, harmony, composition, and accompaniment. Thanks to that, students not only know how to perform classical pieces but can also accompany the songs they love, create on their own, and develop a distinct musical style.
For young people who are still hesitant before their choices, Tran Thao Uyen’s story is also a reminder that the comfort zone can provide a sense of stability, but growth usually begins when people dare to step out of familiar limits. Daring to think of a different path, daring to start over, daring to learn seriously, and daring to take responsibility for one’s choice is what helped Uyen transform her love for music into tangible achievements.
However, Uyen also frankly admits that studying music has never been an easy path. People often speak of “painstaking practice” rather than “pleasurable practice”. Behind each performance of just a few minutes are hundreds of hours practicing in solitude. There will be times when learners feel pressure, fatigue, and even doubt their own capabilities. But when persistently overcoming the most difficult days, when finally completing a piece that previously seemed impossible, the learner will experience a very special joy.
That is not just the joy of playing a piece of music, but the joy of realizing you have surpassed your own limits.
The journey from a girl graduating in Business Administration to the valedictorian of the entire Piano cohort at NTTU is therefore not just the story of an individual daring to change direction. It is also a testament to the training value of the Faculty of Performing Arts, to the multi-disciplinary, practical learning environment at Nguyen Tat Thanh University, and to the belief that: when there is enough passion, enough discipline, and enough courage, anyone can start over, grow stronger, and shine in their own way.
Writer: Cam Thach
Photos: Provided by the character
