The only Vietnamese to receive a scholarship for a master’s degree in guitar from Yale University

In early May 2022, Long graduated with a Bachelor of Music (Bachelor of Music) from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA). Not long ago, a Vietnamese male student “won a ticket” to the Yale School of Music – Yale University (Connecticut, USA).

Yale is an Ivy League block, known for its highly competitive entry level, with an acceptance rate in 2022 just 4.47% (belonging to the top 5 schools with the highest match rate in the US, according to US News & World Report). Hoang Long said that Guitar professor – Benjamin Verdery – at Yale School of Music confirmed that he was the only Vietnamese this year to receive the Master of Music in Guitar scholarship from the school. According to the target, a maximum of 8 applicants worldwide will be granted a scholarship to major in Guitar in the Music industry each year. The full scholarship for Hoang Long is worth about 42,000 USD per year.

Mr. Ngo Quy Nghia, Hoang Long’s father, said: “Half a way around the world, when they heard the news that the leopard had passed Yale University, the couple jumped up and hugged each other happily. This is a difficult, seemingly impossible goal. the hour can come”.

Mr. Nghia and his wife are both teachers and cannot help their son much with art. He was the valedictorian of the Hanoi College of Arts at the age of 9 and the valedictorian of the Vietnam National Academy of Music at the age of 13; Until high school, Long was only allowed to study in the US when he won a 50% scholarship from Interlochen – Arts Academy.

Graduating from high school, Long was awarded scholarships by three schools including Peabody Institute (Johns Hopkins University), University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA) and North Park University. Choosing UNCSA as a destination, here Long has the opportunity to continue to develop his passion in a professional music education environment.

After finishing the university program, Long prepared a detailed profile to apply for a master’s degree, along with practicing playing the guitar every day.

Long revealed, to play good music, you have to create your own style. The Vietnamese boy’s musical orientation was taught methodically by teacher Joseph Pecoraro at UNCSA.

Hard training helps Long confidently overcome many challenges of Yale. Long said, applying to Yale School of Music does not have to write an essay. The most exciting challenge is that the school sends applicants a brand new piece of music.

Mr. Benjamin Verdery – Guitar professor at Yale School of Music contacted the composer – wrote a completely new version for the contestants. The candidate did not listen or rehearse first. Long had about 40 minutes of preparation and 15 minutes of performance. Her exam was praised by the professor for her creativity and musical appreciation.

In the acceptance letter sent to Yale’s Hoang Long, Professor Benjamin Verdery expressed his pleasure to receive the Vietnamese student. He said, the Admissions Committee highly appreciates Long’s passion, talent, hard work, professional and extra-curricular activities that he has implemented as well as his serious attitude towards music.

“I love going to Long’s website to see what he has done. I am delighted to hear his music and look forward to hearing more,” he wrote.

In addition to the creativity test, the Yale Admissions Committee sends applicants a list of 27 questions. There are familiar questions such as why did you choose to study at Yale, and there are complex sentences that require deep thinking related to difficult guitar albums.

In addition to her impressive personal achievements and excellent test-taking ability, Long said, it’s possible that her activities in bringing music to the community have impressed the Admissions Committee. When he was a sophomore at the North Carolina School of the Arts, Long and his friends created the project “Cross the Line”, to give everyone the opportunity to access music.

The Vietnamese male student also participates in teaching support for the school system in Winston-salem, the city where he lives. In the Christmas season of 2021, Long and his friends brought music to warm up the Christmas atmosphere for children at the Open Arms Community orphanage in Winston-Salem city.

Looking back on the whole journey of successfully winning a scholarship, Hoang Long said: “I am very fortunate to have many supportive teachers. My mother often reminds me of the phrase ‘Natural musk fragrance’, but I think if I try to concentrate, When it comes to your passion and your path, someone will surely look at you, no matter how challenging the journey is.”

In September, Long will attend the Yale School of Music for a master’s degree. Here, not only performing, the Vietnamese man also learns to compose and compose music.

Le Thu