Meet the VAP Member
year of 2015
Michelle Nguyen has been studying violin under Mr. Nguyen Khanh Hong since the age of five. She is currently in school to attain a Business Management and Consultation degree. Michelle is known for her musical talent as a violinist for any occasion that arises. She has session played as well as live performed for various local orchestras and is also a music coach for many high school orchestra students. Michelle is inspired by Mr. Hong’s love of children and has followed in his footsteps in teaching private violin and piano lessons. She currently is working as an HR administrator to further her knowledge on entrepreneurship for her own future business. Michelle aims to find a harmony (as any violinist would) between business and art utilizing traditionally modern methods.
Hai Nguyen began playing the violin at the age of 10 under the direction of Mr. Nguyen Khanh Hong. Ever since then, Hai has become an active member in the Vietnamese-American Philharmonic. She has also taken part in the musical “The King and I” in the fall of 2009 and been a part of the Cypress Pops Orchestra for the summer of 2010. In the last year and a half, Hai began teaching violin to young students in hopes of inspiring the younger generation to take an interest in music and to carry on the knowledge that she has gained from Mr. Hong the past 15 years. Hai graduated from California State University, Long Beach with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. She is excited to start her education of pharmacy at Midwestern University this coming fall of 2015.
Arlene Phuong-Quynh Ho has been playing violin since the age of 9 and began studying under Nguyen Khanh Hong since she was 13. She has also been an active member of the Vietnamese-American Philharmonic for almost 10 years. In 2008, Arlene served as the concertmistress for the Garden Grove Unified School District Honor Orchestra and later was the concertmistress for Garden Grove High School’s string orchestra. She continued with playing music in university as a member of the University of California, Irvine Symphony Orchestra for about 2 years. Arlene is a recent graduate of University of California, Irvine with a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Biology and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology.
Tiffany My-Tien Nguyen started playing the violin at the age of four with Mr. Hong Nguyen at Westminster Music School and joined the Vietnamese American Philharmonic when she was seven. At the age of eight, she started piano lessons with Mr. Brian Barclay in Huntington Beach. Other orchestras that My-Tien has played with are the Beckman High School Chamber Orchestra (Assistant Concertmaster) under the direction of Jim Kollias and the Irvine Valley College Symphonic Ensemble (Concertmaster) under the direction of Dr. Stephen Rochford. She has performed with the Beckman High School Chamber Orchestra at the 2011 New York International Music Festival held at Carnegie Hall. My-Tien currently is a fourth year biology major at UC Irvine in Irvine, CA.
Vinh Luong is currently majoring in Business Administration at the University of California, Irvine and will be graduating in December of 2015. He has been playing the viola for 12 years and has spent many of those years under the instruction of Professor Nguyen Khanh Hong. Additionally, he has been playing the piano for 14 years, with much of his knowledge coming from his teacher, Mr. Aram Aghababyan. He has been with the Vietnamese American Philharmonic for the past 10 years and was also a member of the UC Irvine Symphony Orchestra.
Tri Luong is a currently a student at Cal State University of Fullerton majoring in Business Administration. He has been playing the violin for 10 years and has been in the Vietnamese American Philharmonic group for about 8 years under the director Nguyen Khanh Hong. He also has been playing piano for 14 years with many years under the influence of his teacher Mr. Aram Aghababyan.
Kim Luong, age 22, has been playing the violin since the age of 9 and began violin lessons with Thay Hong at the age of 10. She has been a member of the Vietnamese American Philharmonic since the age of 12. Kim has participated in the pit orchestras for the musicals The King and I, The Sound of Music, and The Music Man. She was actively involved in many honor ensembles during her time in high school. In college, she participated in the USC Concert Orchestra for one year. She will be graduating the University of Southern California with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering in Spring 2016.
Hannah Nguyen began playing the violin at the age of six and studied under the direction of Professor Nguyen Khanh Hong. Ever since, she has been an active member of the Vietnamese American Philharmonic. Hannah had also performed with Beckman High School Chamber Orchestra at Carnegie Hall in the Spring of 2013 and 2015, and at Segerstrom Hall in the Spring of 2014 and 2015. Hannah is currently studying at University of California, Irvine and plans to continue playing music in college.
Peter Bui is 20 years old and is currently attending Orange Coast College. He has been playing the violin for 12 years under the direction of his teacher, Mr. Nguyen Khanh Hong. He has been a member of the Vietnamese American Philharmonic Orchestra for 10 years. He has also been a member of the Fountain Valley High School Orchestra throughout his entire high school career. His parents have been supportive of his music education and continue to do so. He hopes to continue to play the violin throughout his college years.
Peter Tran began playing violin at the age of nine and has continued ever since. He was a student under the guidance of Nguyen Khanh Hong at the age of fourteen, but has continued to be an active member in the Vietnamese American Philharmonics for the past nine years. While attending Garden Grove High School, they were able to achieve a unanimous superior at both SCSBOA and Regional Festivals. He has recently graduated from the University of California, Irvine and is working towards becoming a Physician’s assistant.
Tina Nguyen, 22 years old, graduated from UC Berkeley with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Welfare and a double minor in Education and Asian American Studies. She is currently working at the University of Southern California as the Assistant Director in the Office of Admission. She started the violin at the age of four and the piano at the age of five. She has been in the Vietnamese American Philharmonic Orchestra since 1998 and has been in several other orchestras including GATE Intermediate Orchestra, GATE High School Orchestra, and Orange County Youth Symphony Orchestra.
David Phung, Awarded for “Outstanding Musicianship” (2015), “Outstanding Musical Excellence” (2015), and “Outstanding Dedication” (2014-2015), David Minh Phung is perhaps among the most compelling students to set foot into the LQHS Music Department. David Minh Phung, 18, has studied the violin since the age of 9. At 13, he became concertmaster of the McGarvin Intermediate Advanced Strings; the same year, he began studying privately with violinist Kinh Dang at Little Saigon Music Academy. At 16, David was admitted into the OCYSO (Orange County Youth Symphony Orchestra), which he embarked on a 1-week concert tour of the United Kingdom in the summer of 2013. During that summer, David continued private instruction, this time alongside violinist Lina Van. Additionally in 2013, David began studying the viola in the LQHS Chamber Orchestra, quickly becoming the orchestra’s principal violist. From 2014-2015, David served as concertmaster for the LQHS Chamber Orchestra, which he received numerous solo opportunities, including Gustav Holst’s St. Paul’s Suite and “Spring” from Antonio Vivaldi’s famous work Four Seasons. He is currently a violist for the Vietnamese American Philharmonic (VAP), which he has been a member since 2011, as well as the second violinist of the Orange Coast String Quartet.
Vivian Vu, an incoming senior at the Orange County School of the Arts, has been studying with Nguyen Khanh Hong for the past 8 years. Since then, she has been an active member of exclusive orchestras such as VAP’s Symphony Orchestra, OCSA’s Symphony Orchestra and MACY’s National Award Winning OCSA Pit Orchestra for the musicals Titanic and Meet Me In St. Louis. Vivian hopes to continue her music education as she progresses through her life.
Jennifer Nguyen, age 18, started studying violin under Nguyen Khanh Hong at 13 years old. Since then, she has joined the VAP Children’s Orchestra and worked her way up to the VAP Symphony Orchestra. Throughout her attendance at Santiago High School, she became concert mistress from her sophomore to senior year. She also gained the opportunity to perform with the Garden Grove Unified School District, High School Honor Orchestra twice. Ever since she was 8 years old, Jennifer’s parents has been supporting her passion for music by attending every piano and violin concert and performance. Jennifer will begin her study at University of California, Irvine in the fall as an undeclared major.
Steven Pham, age 17 is a student of Mr. Nguyen Khanh Hong, Music Director of Vietnamese American Philharmonic. Steven Pham has been playing violin since he was 10 years. He is currently attending Garden Grove High School as a senior. In his orchestra, he recently got selected to be a sectional leader for 2nd violin group. He hopes he will be able to continue in the future as a violinist in college.
Daniel Vu, age 16 is a junior at Mater Dei High School. He started violin at age 7 and has played under his teacher Nguyen Khanh Hong ever since. He has been in the Vietnamese American Philharmonic Orchestra for over five years now. He is one of the members of the newly formed String Ensemble at his high school and continues to practice violin. He has performed in group ensembles and supported the VAP Orchestra for the past few years and hopes to continue in the future.
Richie Vo, age 17 is an upcoming senior at Marina High School. He has been studying under professor Nguyen Khanh Hong for Seven years and has been performing with Vietnamese American Philharmonic for about 6 years. He is also the concertmaster for the Marina High School Orchestra and has also performed as one of their soloists.
Vincent Vu, age 13, is studying under the direction of Nguyen Khanh Hong for the past 8 years. He is going to the Orange County School of the Arts for his upcoming freshman year in the Instrumental Music Conservatory. In the past, he has been a part of the Garden Grove Unified School District for both elementary and middle school honor orchestras and was concertmaster for his 8th grade year at Alamitos Intermediate.
Baolong Nguyenphuoc, age 12, is a student of Thay Nguyen Khanh Hong, Music Director of Vietnamese American Philharmonic. Baolong began playing the violin at the age of five. He will be attending Lexington Jr. High as a 7th grader. His first appearing in the Vietnamese-America Philharmonic Concert in the Summer 2010. He has been playing in the Gate Orchestra in the Anaheim School District for 3 years. He performed as soloist as well as in concerts with Youth Vietnamese American Philharmonic.
John Mai, age 12, has been playing the violin for Mr. Nguyen Khanh Hong, music director of Vietnamese American Philharmonic for almost six years. John has been playing the violin since the age of five. He currently attends Oxford Academy as an 8th grader, and hopes to start playing as part of his school orchestra. He has performed in many group solos during the VAP Philharmonic concerts.
Dominic LeDuc, 17 years old, is a senior at Orange County School of the Arts (OCSA). He enjoys playing the piano in his spare time, of which he has been doing for 10 years now under the instruction of Myle Nguyen and other teachers at Westminster Music School. Alongside classical music, he would like to continue his music studies with jazz piano, especially improvisation. In the future, Dominic aspires to work in the scientific world, though he is unsure of what specific occupation he would like to pursue. He also loves shrimp and tinkering with technology.
Genevieve Vu, first touched an instrument when she saw her brother play piano. Seeing that she had talent and an infectious enthusiasm, her parents placed her in musical programs around the age of five. Shortly after starting her studies in violin with the appraised instructor, Thay Hong, Genevieve was put into the Vietnamese American Philharmonic two years later. With each and every lesson, she quickly grew and became a diligent student. She enjoys music very much, and hopes to continue her studies in the field of music throughout high school. Genevieve also excelled in other fields and extra-curricular activities. She was a part of a junior high academic decathlon for her school, and is currently a part of an academic decathlon for Mater Dei High School. She was accepted into Mater Dei with distinction and full honors. She continues strive to emerge as one of the top students by the end of her four-year, high-school journey.
Aileen Le, age 11 is a student of Mr. Nguyen Khanh Hong, Music Director of the Vietnamese American Philharmonic. Aileen will be in 6th grade at Ethan Allen Elementary in Garden Grove. She had been selected to perform in the Garden Grove Unified School District Honor Orchestra and the Festival of Strings at Westminster Mall. She also performed piano in the Ethan Allen Elementary Great Moments event. This is the second time Aileen will be performing with the Vietnamese American Philharmonic as part of the Youth Orchestra.
Angelina Abano, 13 years old, has been instructed by Mr. Nguyen Khanh Hong. She has also been in an involved member of the Vietnamese American Philharmonic. Angelina has also been a part of many school orchestra concerts (2014-2015) for her junior high years in Oxford Academy Junior High, and in the past was of the main cast for an elementary school play in Mattie Lou Maxwell Elementary. As of right now, she is participating in the Oxford Academy Orchestra for instrumental string and the Vietnamese American Philharmonic.
Madison Vu is 9 years old. She started learning to play the violin at age of 5 under the teachings of Nguyen Khanh Hong, music director of Vietnamese American Philharmonic Orchestra (VAP). She was invited to join the Children’s Vietnamese American Philharmonic orchestra at 6 1/2 years old. This opportunity has helped shaped her to be a more motivated and confident musician. Madison has many interest in addition to music. She has earned a black belt in Tae Kwon do in 2015. She loves to play volleyball, laugh, paint, and trained to swim competitively.
Andy Truong, age 12 and is a student of Mr. Nguyen Khanh Hong, Music Director of Vietnamese American Philharmonic. He started learning violin with Music Master Class from Anaheim Union High School District GATE Orchestra since 4th grade. He just completed the 6th grade from Twila Reid Elementary School and will be attending Oxford Academy in the coming Fall. Andy has been an active member of the Vietnamese-American Philharmonic for about a year.
Jude Ton is an aspiring musician and 6th grader at Ethan Allen Elementary School. He started playing the violin at the age of seven under the guidance of Mr. Nguyen Khanh Hong and a year later joined the Vietnamese American Philharmonic. He has been performing with VAP Youth Orchestra for the last two years. He also plays the piano and saxophone when he’s not practicing the violin. He enjoys music and hope to expand his knowledge and creativity through out his lifetime.
Christian Ton, age 13, has been taking violin lessons since 9. He started with piano lessons when he was 7. Starting from his fourth grade, he’s been in school orchestra, as a violinist, and has been with VAP for the last two years. Christian has a love for music. His favorite composers are John Williams and Michael Giacchino. Music has a tremendous positive impact on his academics. He is a straight A/ GATE student at Masuda Middle School. He enjoys playing piano and violin his spare time (learning new songs from YouTube videos). Christian has recently taken on an interest in a third instrument. He is now taking classical guitar lessons starting this summer.
Quynh-Vy Ngo started playing the violin at the Westminster Music School at the age of seven. She was introduced to the music school by her cousins, who took lessons there. During the last five years, her teacher, Mr. Nguyen Khanh Hong, also the conductor of the Vietnamese American Philharmonic, has taught her everything she knows about the violin. Currently, she is 12 years old and an upcoming eighth grader at Oxford Academy. Quynh-Vy is excited to join the Oxford Academy Orchestra in this coming fall.
Quynh-Nhi Ngo, age 8, currently takes violin lessons at the Westminster Music School, and has been taking lessons since she was 7 years old. She attends Juliet Morris Elementary School and is an upcoming third grader. She was inspired to learn how to play violin from her cousins and her sister, who took lessons at the music school before her. Her teacher, Mr. Nguyen Khanh Hong, has taught her during her one year of experience playing the violin, and Quynh-Nhi has been enjoying it ever since.
Dylana LeDuc is a 12 year old student attending St. John the Baptist Catholic School. She has studied violin under the guidance of Nguyen Khanh Hong since 2013 and has joined VAP Orchestra since 2014. Besides violin, she has a passion for dancing. Dylana is currently in 7th grade and is in the process of auditioning for the Orange County School of the Arts, also known as OCSA. She hopes to succeed in life with her passion for the arts.
Amber Duyen McGrath, Age 9 has been a violin student of Mr. Nguyen Khanh Hong since age 7 and became a member of the Vietnamese American Philharmonic Orchestra in 2014. Amber is a 5th grade student at St John the Baptist Catholic School in Costa Mesa. Amber also plays piano, sings, is a yellow belt in Kickboxing and recently started practicing Jiu Jitsu as well.
Taina Sy, age 13, is a student of Mr. Nguyen Khanh Hong Music.She has been playing since the age of six. She is currently attending Warner Middle school as an 8th grader. She has performed in many concerts and the first one was at Emerald Bay winter concert. She has been part of the Vietnamese American Philharmonic Youth Orchestra for 3 to 4 years.
Katie Tran began playing the violin at the age of 5 under the direction of Professor Nguyen Khanh Hong. Katie is now 9-year-old and is a GATE student at Circle View Elementary school. Katie has been in the Vietnamese American Philharmonic Orchestra for about a year. Her parents have always encouraged her to do her best. They have been very supportive of her music education. Katie wishes to continue studying violin and becoming violin teacher when she is in college.
Justin Vu, inspired by cousins and siblings to take part in musical studies, had his parents apply him for violin lessons from Thay Hong at the age of eight. He joined the Vietnamese American Philharmonic a year later. Justin is steadily growing as a student. Justin is also in a number of activities not including violin. He is a member the Green Valley Swim Team. Justin hopes to be a part of the junior high academic decathlon at his school. He is interested in history from around the world, and anatomy.
Sophia Ly, age 10, has been playing the violin for 2 years under the direction of her music teacher Mr. Miguel Cunanan. She will start 5th grade this fall at Hopkinson Elementary. Sophia joined the Vietnamese American Philharmonic this past spring and hopes to become part of the orchestra at her junior high next year as well.
Benjamin Vu, 10 years old, has been a student of Professor Nguyen Khanh Hong since 2th grader. He is currently attending Sonora Elementary as a 5th grader. Ben enjoys being a part of the Youth Vietnamese American Philharmonic Orchestra. He hopes to play the violin for many more years to come.
Kim-Quyen Huynh, age 13 started playing violin in 2010 at age 8 and studied under the direction of Professor Nguyen Khanh Hong. She is currently attending Brookhurst junior High School as a 8Th grader. She has been selected and performed in 2014 talent shown at Juliette Junior Low School. She has been in the Vietnamese American Philharmonic 4 years.Her parent have always been encouraged to play violin and enjoy music as a hobby of life.
Christina Phan began playing violin since 4th grade and 6th grade she studied under Nguyen Khanh Hong for about 3 years. She has been elected to be the Garden Grove Unified District Honor Orchestra since sixth grade and gone every year after that. She has also just joined to play in a church since this May. Her parents has always been supportive with her and continues to encourage her to play better.
James Pham is a 14 year old violin student. He started lessons with Music director of Vietnamese American Philharmonic and violin teacher Mr. Nguyen Khanh Hong in the summer of 5th grade, and joined the Vietnamese American Philharmonic one year later. James currently is a freshman at Oxford Academy and is the concertmaster for his school’s String Orchestra. He has performed in quite a number of concerts with his school, as well as in recitals and concerts led by Mr. Nguyen Khanh Hong. He plans on continuing violin education throughout high school and college with the hopes of being able to play professionally someday.
Julie Pham, age 12, has been a student of Music director Nguyen Khanh Hong since age nine. Two years later, she joined the Vietnamese American Philharmonic and is an active violinist. As a sixth grader, she has performed in the GGUSD honor orchestra along with her school performances. In the upcoming year, Julie is going to be a seventh-grader at Oxford Academy. She hopes to improve her skills at the violin while aspiring to follow in the footsteps of many great violinists before her.
Natalie Sy, age 10, is a student of Mr. Nguyen Khanh Hong Music. She has been playing since the age of 3. She is currently attending Demille Elementary School as 5th grader. She has performed in many concerts and the first one was at The Seafood Palace Winter Concert. She has been part of the Vietnamese American Philharmonic Youth Orchestra for 1 year.
Bill Bach, 9 years old, student of St. Catherine’s Academy School. He has learned music since 2011, and practiced violin since 2013 under the direction of Professor Khanh Hong Nguyen. His parents love music and always support him in music field. Bill and his parents believe that music will help people relax and sharpen their minds, improve their emotions and feelings to LIFE.