Cất Cánh: From Aotearoa to London

Kia Ora,

My name is Anh Thu Anna Nguyen, and I am a 24 year old classical soprano. My family immigrated from Vietnam and I was born and raised in Tāmaki Makaurau. 

I have recently successfully auditioned for a spot in the Masters Program at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, based in London, and now I am finding the funds to continue on this next step of my journey. My project is about striving to create equitable access to classical music training, regardless of socioeconomic background - and Vietnamese and Kiwi representation in the world of opera.

I believe that artists are shaped by their communities. I have been supported by teachers, mentors, friends, and fellow musicians who have believed in me even when I didn't believe in myself. 

This project is my way of saying thank you - and of inviting my community to be part of the next chapter.

I have a scholarship worth $25,000 of the $49,000 required for my first year of fees, and am now asking for help to source the other $24,000. 

Guildhall is a world class music training institution, and I am pursuing further education there to become the best artist I can be. One also can not deny the geographic advantage of being based in London, where the artistic community is thriving, where the best European opera houses are a three hour commute away, and one is ensconced by the presence of some of the best musicians in the industry daily. 

Attending this institution would give me the best holistic training and connections that a young artist could receive. I want to represent New Zealand and Vietnamese singers proudly on the international stage, imbued with the technical capabilities to create art that is authentic and meaningful. 

Attending this school has been my dream since I was 18. I have jumped the first hurdle of auditioning successfully, and now need help to get there.

I hope this is a project that represents the power of opportunity in the arts. 

After learning I got into Guildhall, my family said that although they could not financially support me, they will root for my talent as it has taken me places where our entire bloodlines had never been before. This fund would be a catalyst that empowers me with the support to make the most of this educational opportunity, and give me access to world-class specialised training. For immigrant families such as mine, these once in a lifetime opportunities can change the trajectory of our future generations. 

On a personal level, this is also an important move for me as I feel that I am reliving my parents' cycle of moving to another country with better resources in order to improve their lives and chances for a brighter future. I am all too aware that I only have access to this opportunity solely because my father and mother left Vietnam decades ago and this is something I never take for granted. My mother in particular wanted to be a singer herself, but did not have the option to facilitate this dream because she was born during the Vietnam war. 

I know and greatly value the life-changing possibilities that come with moving countries for a better future, because I have witnessed it throughout my childhood, and am now also reaping the benefits of the seeds my parents planted all those years ago.

Any donation, share, or prayer gets me closer to the goal. Thank you for your support. xx