Villa FB ... tis the life

Sitting at the Villa FB in Saigon, i am just reminded of how i miss Vietnam and also how much it has progressed. There are parts of me which is just baffled at what is being built, next to pretty much slums...
having said that, the Villa FB (Fashion, fusion, Bun) is possibly the classiest joint Vietnam has seen! Reminding me of parts of the Ivy but peeled back, relaxing, clothes by DMC and just lovin' the laid back tropical fruit smoothies.

The hard work has been done, recording for 2 days and now talking with various musicians and people in the industry here.

All I can say right now is ... i'm hungry and i need food :)
toodles for now!
xx
V-A from Vietnam!

on break...

...yeah right. Break from piano practice for the next fiver, not from anything else. FULL FORCE AHEAD!
I still can't believe it is middle of September now!! Ridiculous. The year has honestly flown by, yet so many things have happened. All wonderful things.
I'm off to Adelaide next week for the Love Heart Fashion Show, in aid of Heart Reach Australia. I can't wait because we're showcasing three amazing designers:
Leonardo Salinas (www.leonardosalinas.com)
George Wu (www.georgewu.com)
and
Paolo Sebastian (www.paolosebastian.com)

Here are details for those we are Adelaidians or want to come to Adelaide for a wonderful night:

Where: Observatory Hotel
When: Thursday 17th September 2009
Time: starting 7pm
Featuring: three stunning designers for Spring/Summer 09-10 along with live performances by myself (piano), Thanh Bui (vocals), Sally Cooper (violin) and DJ Terence.
Cost: $50 including drinks and canapes all night!!
Limited tickets sold at the door. Please see Leap Market Solutions for pre-sold tickets.

Thank you to Nicky Kent of Leap Market Solutions who is doing an amazing job organising the event.
Thanks to our amazing sponsors, Gary Castle Shoes Sydney, of course our designers, Thanh Bui, Sally Cooper, DJ Terence (Adelaide), Allans Music Adelaide, Nova Adelaide and everyone who is on board.

From there, i'm off to Brisbane again for the South-East QLD Concerto Competition Finals held @ Redlands Performing Arts Centre! Can't wait to play Rach-Pag again!!!

Anyways, time is running low and i need to get my butt back onto that piano seat!! such a glamorous life with the Boston piano ;)

Love and light, stay smiling and catch you all out there rockin' your socks off!
Yours always,
Van-Anh

september issue

hello hello!
It's been over a month since the last post! I should really keep up with all of this.
Well, the past month has been hectic as usual, writing tracks with Thanh Bui and DJ Matt Cahill (UK) for the heart reach australia fashion parade, september 17th at the gorgeous Observatory Hotel! Make sure you are there because Paolo Sebastian, George Wu and Leonardo Salinas are our fantastic designers. They have to die for pieces and brilliant spring summer ready to wear! With performances by myself, Thanh and a number of others, Step Rd wines sponsoring and canapes & yummy food all night, i can't wait to be there :)
I'm also currently blogging from brisbane where it is a splendid 29 degrees. Couldn't ask for more :) up here for the south east piano comp and also family holidaying. Not complaining about some golden sunshine!
Graduation also occurs this month for me. Finally, a piece of paper....it never really hit me but hey, its the gown, hat, friends drinking up the after party and eating lots of food, i can't say i'm complaining :)
All in all, i'm in a really happy pocket. There's been hard moments but through those moments, you really appreciate what you have even more and there's nothing better.
I hope everyone is doing well back home and hope to see u all soon at a gig or catch up somewhere along the way :)
Love and light,
Always,
Your Van-Anh
X x x

August-itis

Where did the year go? We're almost 3/4 of the way through...Sydney has become that much colder...complain or don't complain, at least I get to go coat shopping and wear them all without having to think about 4 seasons in one day :)

The last few weeks has been crazy hectic with the National Concerto & Aria Competition in QLD, followed by the 'Rising Stars' Concert Series - Chris and my debut at the City Recital Hall. All I can say is that place has such great acoustics, not to mention a piano which is so devine to play on - Steinway of course...it's one of those pianos which I say anything can sound good on, even Mary Had a Little Lamb!

I've started my Graduate studies @ Sydney Con so that's exciting news for me. Finally onto a music degree...something which I've always wanted. It's just even better now that it is purely performance.

In other news, the Singing & Songwriting Workshop in Sydney was a great success and we are bringing it down to Melbourne on August 15th.

I'm also starting at Screenwise in october as well which I totally can't wait for! I missed Drama in yr 12 due to Music but loved it so much for the time that I did do it. Things have aligned and many people have suggested to pursue that department of on-screen so I can't wait to do that!!!

That's all from me for now. Really looking forward to the rest of the year. There is excitement in everyday...never one the same...never a dull moment.

Hope to see you all soon somewhere around the world :)
love and light,
Always,
Van-Anh (athough Vee-Ay seems to have stuck a fair bit!! haha)
xx

LBD time

Aloha!
Time for a little black dress revamp....I always like to stay away from the black and i'm getting an amazing hot pink Leonardo Salinas dress on Monday but I can't resist the simple black dress...funk it up with colored heels or throw it on with ballet flats, these are some of my fav at the moment:




1. Karla Spectic, from maximillia.





Love the back! Not to mention her heels!

2. Simple, casual or chic, and so sass & bide! Love the frills!!! :)

Signing out for now :) I'm off to QLD next week for comps, then back for concerts in Sydney. The City Recital Hall, Angel Pl debut with Chris Pidcock (cello) is Thursday 30th July, 12 noon so please do pop by.

love and light xx
always,
Vee-Ay :)

Tiger Airways never again!

So I book a tiger flight because it's the cheapest one out by far...I was already hesitant because it is a low-cost carrier but I thought, heck, try it once. it could be alright like Virgin.

In the booking process, you had to purchase your SEAT. yes, $5 for a seat. I thought to myself - now, if i didn't buy a seat, what would happen? stand? obviously that was not an option. Standard seats were $5 and premium seats were $25.

Then of course, there was baggage fees and then creditcard fees. What started out as $98 became $130 but that is beside the point. What came next was TOTALLY UNECESSARY!

I get to check in desk for the 45 before departure check in (rather than 30 minutes like other normal airlines). The queue is quite large, only 3 desks operating...but ok, they are a low cost carrier. Be patient. Get to the counter and my bag is 20kgs.

"That will be $75 for excess baggage - $15/kg." WHAT?!?!?! THey only allowed 15 kgs, or apparently the ticket only paid for 15kgs. So....alas, I walked around, took out my laptop and all my toiletries which ended up equating to 7kgs (HAHAH! hair products, skin products, make up, etc) and i was through.

The girl next to me was 0.3kgs over and she was made to pay $25. When the lady behind the counter said 'no, that's not possible, the bag has already gone through', she chucked the biggest tantrum!! God, this was going to be an interesting flight....

The flight was generally smooth and we arrived early as well, however when we landed, it seemed to land in the middle of the entire airport and we had to get out, walk for like MILES and MILES (ok, maybe that is exaggerating a wee bit) but more like walking for about 5 minutes til we reached this area which honestly looked like a cage - i thought i had walked into a 3rd world country or more like a 3rd world detention centre! The wire fencing around the entire thing with barb wire along the entire top of it... People were everywhere, it was outside and cold and there was a conveyor belt...but nothing on teh conveyor belt. To get out of this cage, there were those revolving doors, of course being outside, it was the gated type, those ones where manually spin your way out and then can't get back in because they bar it.

I had no idea where the bags were...it said baggage pickup was terminal 4 with an arrow to the right and people seemed to be streaming out with not much luggage so I looked left, looked right and decided that terminal 4 was the building to the right...

I got out and turned around and the conveyor belt started moving!!! NO FRICKIN WAY?!?! That was where the luggage was going to be! How was i meant to get back in?

Oh. Em. Gee!

I stood there helpless...what was I going to do? there were no groundsmen who would help me. The people picking up their relatives/friends/family were standing on my side of the fence, speaking through the holes to the people they were picking up! It honestly was like a jail situation. I stood there thinking 'oh, man, i feel like a blonde'. I walked to the fence, asked the lady next to me 'Is that your daughter there?' pointing to the girl on teh other side of the fence. 'Yes?'

'Can I ask a massive favour? I know this sounds really weird but I walked out thinking that luggage claim was in that building rather than here so now my bag is on the conveyor belt...the one with the pink ribbon and pink shoe...could she get it for me?'

The lady laughed and said in her proper English accent 'Is that right? (eyebrows raised)'. Her daughter helped me and I finally got my bag. Of course, she hadn't gotten her bag so she had to push my suitcase through the spinning doors, and on our end, we had to manouevre it to make sure it would come out and she wasn't stuck or the bag.

Dramas Dramas Dramas!!!

NEVER AGAIN will i travel Tiger Airways. Totally not worth the pain, effort...

If anyone else has had a pleasant trip with Tiger, I'd like to know... because it was the worst experience ever!

Singing & Songwriting Workshop

I can't help but mix work with play sometimes so here is a spot of marketing for those who aren't aware already :)

SINGING & SONGWRITING WORKSHOP

SYDNEY EDITION

SATURDAY JULY 18th 2009

Want to write your own songs and be the complete performer?

Want to know what makes a good song structure?

How important is stage presence?

Want good foundations to good techniques?

Led by Gold-record songwriter, and Australian Idol 2008 Finalist - Thanh Bui along with one of Australia’s top concert pianists Van-Anh Nguyen, this exclusive one-day singing and song-writing course will cover aspects vocal techniques, Speech-Level-Singing, improvisation, microphone techniques, stage movement, intention, song-writing structures, chord progressions.

Whether you’re wanting to audition for the next musical or Idol, consolidate on your song-writing skills, preparing for Senior Music @ school or just curious, this is for YOU!Complete with worksheets, writing your own song and a performance at the end of the day, this one off opportunity is not to be missed.

SCHEDULE

9:30-10:00 Registration

10:00-12:00 Session 1: Vocal WorkshopCovering vocal health, speech-level-singing, breathing, foundations to good technique, vocal exercises and improvisation

12:00-12:15 Tea break

12:15-2:00 Session 2: Performance TechniquesCovering microphone techniques, movement, understanding the song you’re singing (intention). Technique + Performance craft = Great performance!

2:00-2:45 Lunch

2:45-3:45 Session 3: Song StructureCovering structure, what makes a good song, analysis of 3 chart-topping songs, chord progressions and improvisation

3:45-4:00 Tea break

4:00-5:30 Session 4: Song-writingHaving foundations from session 3, groups will write their own song followed by a performance. The top 2 groups will enter a song ‘write-off’. Winners will receive special vocal and song-writing sessions.Worksheets are included for all participants.

FEE: $90.00

LOCATION: Held @ Vivo Studios, Sydney

STRICTLY LIMITED TO 15 PARTICIPANTS

Full payments of $90.00 AUD must be received by July 14th to secure a position in the course.

THANH BUI www.thanhbuimusic.com

Thanh Bui, last year’s Australian Idol Top 8 finalist, comes back to Sydney having spent the better part of 3 months in LA writing for his new record, scheduled for release early next year. Writing with Grammy-award winners such as Charlie Midnight (James Brown, Britney Spears), Jim Marr (Hilary Duff, Anthony Callea), Michael Jay (Eminem, Kylie, Celine Dion), Andy Goldmark (Jessica Simpson, Jennifer Paige, Michael Bolton), Thanh’s craft for song-writing is seeing him work with great Australian acts such as Paulini, Dean Geyer.

VAN-ANH NGUYEN www.vananh.com.au

Having performed in Germany, Austria, USA, Taiwan, Vietnam and across Australia, Van-Anh Nguyen is one of Australia’s finest concert pianists. Making history as the youngest of her generation to receive her A.Mus.A (aged 9) and going on to winning several national and international prizes, 2008 saw the release of her first classical solo piano album ‘Mise-en-scene’. Van-Anh is currently working on her second album, taking on an exciting new direction, writing originals and collaborations with DJs and other instrumentalists. Van-Anh is the Ambassador of Heart Reach Australia.

ONLINE REGISTRATION OPEN NOW:

http://www.vivomusicschool.com.au/main/page_singing__songwriting_registration.html

For other details, visit www.vivomusicschool.com.au & www.internationalartistacademy.com or for further enquiries, please contact Van-Anh Nguyen on (02) 8824 4884 or email: vananh@vivomusicschool.com.au

Hope to see you all there xx

on the hunt for the patent bootieee

Oh boy oh boy oh boy! does one get excited when winter comes along and it's all boots and coats...and don't forget the hot chocolates with melted marshmallows :) Anyways, I'm on the hunt for the black patent so here are some of the boots i'm loving:

1. Sergio Rossi - Gisella

It's conservative but killer heel and beautiful leather!

2. Christian Louboutin

Fine fine fine is all that comes to mind. Peep toe, layers and just absolute bliss!

3. Givenchy ankle heels/boots

I love the stitching detail an criss-cross strap. Subtle but oh so fine!

4. Gia Lorenzi

11cm heel (even though it looks WAY higher than that), hidden platform .. sigh.. beautiful!

5. Rupert Sanderson

Fold down, trimming, belt, this boot has it all. 4'5 (11cm) heel. LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!
So, they are my hot 5 picks. Of course these are all internationals, so if anyone knows Australian designers who have amazing patent ankle boots, let me know :)

As usual, my breakdowns for the blog:

FASHION

On a general fashion front, loving the Australian designers as usual. This week's highlights for me are Trimapee (http://www.trimapee.com/) and Lost Pigeon (www.lostpigeon.com.au) particularly for urban menswear.

MUSIC
Pletnev's performance of Rachmaninoff-Paganini will always inspire me:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9Z-HCq5EeU

Lovin' Beyonce's 'Diva' as well :)

Signing out for now :)
xxxx

seize the day

As everyone around the world mourns about the death of Michael Jackson, I sit there thinking as I see all the images flicker on the TV screen. Waking up to the news was shocking enough ... it reminded me of waking up at a very similar time to when September 11th happened... 7-8am Sydney time to a piece of news which seemed almost too surreal to occur.

Michael Jackson is a legend who seemed indestructable, yet for him to pass away only weeks before his epic 50 show schedule @ the 02 arena was a piece of shocking news which I'm sure no one wanted to believe...I guess the fact of the matter was that a 50 year old having to do 50 shows would send anyone's head spinning - let alone having to do incredible dance routines and sing to thousands and thousands of people whilst your health is frail and there are pressures from within the family to bring the Jackson 5 back together to do a show!

Reflecting on seeing Michael Jackson live his life in the public eye from such an early age, what, being a massive hit with the Jackson 5 at aged 11 until now - a career which spans almost 4 decades is absolutely crazy. Kids of this generation know all of his songs word for word and that's him not doing any real shows within the last 10 or so years obviously shows something! His longevity in his music, his creativity and complete originality will remain untouchable and one of a kind.

Seeing all of this simply made me reflect on life - that life is too short. Always live it like it's your last and never hold back on anything because it could be the very last thing you do, or say, or see. Love like you've never loved before, say thank you, say good bye, hug people you love, smile and don't hold grudges. I am in a really happy place at the moment and this unfortunate incident has just reminded me to continue staying in this happy state and make sure that I have everyone around me just as happy.

May Michael Jackson rest in peace for his is a legend, a pioneer, a genius and will never be forgotten - no one could ever replace him.

Love and light,

Always,

Van-Anh xx

VIVID SYDNEY FEST PERFORMANCE

Hello All!


The VIVID Sydney FESTIVAL (http://www.vividsydney.com.au/) is winding down however I will be playing on the piano under the Doves That Cry Light installation tomorrow night @ 8pm in the Red Room @ Customs House (31 Alfred Street, Circular Quay)!






Doves that Cry
A site-specific installation using the ephemeral qualities of light and sound, bringing into focus the ‘drawing room’ space of reflection. Blackness and literal reflection are the threshold between two places, between here and infinity. The gloss black piano is mounted on a gloss black stage.

Come down and say hi and if you haven't checked out the lights and sounds from the festival, now is a great chance to see it all before the switches are turned off Sunday night! :)

Love and light,

Always,

V-A xx

fab find :)

I found the perfect boxes for my shoes, so my wardrobe will be going through a makeover...well, the shoe department of my wardrobe will be anyways :)

The boxes are from www.closetfetish.com

This was really funny from the site as well which I find myself smiling and ticking off 'yes' to all of the following:

A TRUE DIVA

She knows…

1. Less is well, just less!

2. Minimalist is another word for too cheap to buy more stuff

3. Coach is a handbag not a way to travel

4. 250 pairs of shoes is a good start..

5. Your thread count is always higher than your IQ

6. Real shoe diva’s are allergic to stores ending in MART

7. Boring and conventional is for nuns and matrons, for us its fabulous all the way!

8. Sensible means boring

9. Retail therapy is more fun than spending it on a shrink darling

10. Great shoes maketh the Diva

Have a fabulous day and remember, a girl never has enough shoes :) pretty shoes that is :)

Love and light,

always,

Van-Anh

column A column B

Last weekend was a fabulous weekend of roundabouts, naked trees and galleries - yes, I was in Canberra. It baffles me as to how the temperature can be so different to Sydney, yet it is only a 2 1/2 hour drive (the boys continue to convince me it is so, instead of 3-4 hours).

Performances went well, friends were made, we made sure that we were the life of the party and soaked it all up, learning the Canberrian ways.



Lesson learnt from a Canberrian: if you see a kangaroo heading towards you on the road, hit it or else you might end of severely injured or worse, dead.



FOOD
I have a mad craving for Bun Bo Hue - a vietnamese soup - spicy and warm on a rainy evening! PERFECTION!


FASHION

I am loving Juli Grbac http://www.juligrbac.com.au/ and Rachel Gilbert Sydney http://www.rachelgilbert.com/

There are such amazing Australian designers! I just can't wait to wear more of them!



MUSIC

Currently trying to gobble down Rachmaninoff-Paganini, I'm starting to find it even more beautiful than it already was in my mind.

Having said that, Schumann Fantasiestucke - gorgeous and I'll be performing that with Cellist Chris Pidcock @ our City Recital Hall Angel Place, Sydney debut! I've been lucky enough for Leonardo Salinas to design and make me a dress for the concert too!

COLUMN A, COLUMN B
Khoa Do's latest film, Missing Water is screening its World Premiere @ the Sydney State Theatre on Tuesday 9th June as part of the Sydney Film Festival. It is also part of the Official Competition, so I wish you all the best of luck Khoa! I am so proud to have worked with Khoa through the years and this is just one more thing to be proud off - another Vietnamese representative in our community!

Anyways, that is enough chit-chat from me. Hope to see some of you around. Remember to check out www.vananh.com.au and of course, Myspace (www.myspace.com/vananhnguyenmusic)

Love and light,
always Van-Anh x

fragile idealist

I come across many things which inspire me each day...some more than others. So far in the last week, i've been reminded of how lucky I am, how beautiful life is to share with everyone, someone, how many facets of life has influenced my own life. Sometimes you are down, but I remind myself how lucky i am, things could be much worse so quit whining and enjoy every bit of your life!

FRIENDS

Kudos to my friend Dennis, who back in the day, I had taught and helped him with his A.Mus.A exam. Now, role reversal. We had an awesome jam session yesterday and Master Lee got the creative flo' happenin' y'all! :)

FASHION

Another inspiration: George Wu. Absolute chic and class. Check his AW 09 Fragile Idealist collection at:

http://www.georgewu.com.au/

Those 2 words, fragile idealist ... i'd say describes me at this moment in time. with a 'can-do' attitude and always thinking the best of situations, I'm also very sensitive and fragile when it is in reference to emotions.

MUSIC & LYRICS

No, not the movie (although I must say it is one of my favs, just because Hugh Grant is such a sop in it and every teenage girl loves Ever After with Drew Barrymore and her wings :D).

These lyrics from Coldplay:
Come up to meet ya, tell you I'm sorry
You don't know how lovely you are
I had to find you, tell you I need ya
And tell you I set you apart
Tell me your secrets, and nurse me your questions
Oh lets go back to the start
Running in circles, coming in tails
Heads on a science apart

Nobody said it was easy
It's such a shame for us to part
Nobody said it was easy
No one ever said it would be this hard
Oh take me back to the start

I was just guessing at numbers and figures
Pulling the puzzles apart
Questions of science, science and progress
Do not speak as loud as my heart
And tell me you love me, come back and haunt me
Oh and I rush to the start
Running in circles, chasing tails
Coming back as we are

Nobody said it was easy
Oh it's such a shame for us to part
Nobody said it was easy
No one ever said it would be so hard
I'm going back to the start
Ooooohhhhhhh [x4]

Hope all is well. Looking forward to Canberra performance this coming weekend :)
Much love always,
Van-Anh

Heart Reach Australia 2009

As I finish my concert for HRA 2009, we move on, full force ahead to plan for the next - hopefully a more youth orientated event.
It was an amazing concert with such great support from past patrons as well as new audience members. Not only that, the band was in great shape and supporting artists, Alan Winter and Tanya McFayden were great too!
Thanks goes to The Piano People for the loan of their piano and tuning services and of course, to Leo for the impeccably suitable dress for the occasion, being on the Sunshine Coast and all.
Blessed with glorious weather, I felt right at home.

Please check out Heart Reach Australia @ www.heartreachaustralia.com for the tremendous work and sponsorship programs HRA provides. I will try to post up a video really soon for you to see in more detail.

I'd like to do a shout out to all the people who have sent me incredibly lovely messages re: my website. Thank you for your support and encouraging words. I wouldn't be able to do it without you guys. xx

For now, sleep calls for another filled day before hitting home - Sydney; and back to the Sydney grind ...not that that is a bad thing at all, just that 1) the cold is not nice to come back to and 2) apparently it's raining! :(

Always,
Van-Anh

OFFICIAL WEBSITE UP

Hello everyone!
It's almost 1am and I fly out of Sydney in about 7ish hours...yet nothing is packed!

Having said that, the Van-Anh Nguyen Official Website is up: www.vananh.com.au is official up and running which makes me super excited. Sign up to the mailing list and I will definitely keep you updated on the happenings in the world of V-A :)

This is going to be a short entry because I really MUST pack...so paranoid about forgetting things...it's ok. Dress, music, shoes, that's all I really need. Anything else, i can get up there if i forget..haha.

Let me know what you think. I must thank Leo, Manning Cartell, Pelle, Theme & Variations, Azalia, Jackie Tran Photography and of course, Take The Leap for making the website and everything to do with it possible :)

See you sunshine coasters this weekend.
x
Van-Anh

myspacing...

It's been a while since i've trawled myspace music and wow, there is a plethora of talent out there!

A friend showed me Mateo's myspace and I'm absolutely loving the construction of this song 'Complicated'. Quality piano, quality voice, quality mixing, layers.

Just thought i'd share the lyrics from the song:

[VERSE 1:]

So look at me now

It's a quarter pass 3,

I won't sleep

Cause you walk through my dreams every night

So why did I change

I never thought cupid could win

Change the way that I been all my life

[PRE-HOOK:]

I just wanted to be

Never wanted to fall... ya know

But you just got me

It's not intentional

Can I be over you

Or will I just lose control

(You got it, got it, You got it bad)

Am I ready for this

Or has my heart taken over my mind

Can I commit

Or should I just press rewind

Is this my cue

Or maybe this a warning sign

(You got it, got it, you got it bad)

[CHORUS:]

This love is so complicated

It's so complicated

It's so complicated

And sometimes I hate it

It's so complicated

It's so complicated

It's intoxicated

I think I might be falling in love[x2]

[VERSE:]

So picture me now

I'm stuck in a room

Painting images of you

Trading colors for your smile

Oohhh

But I can't let it show

So I'm holding it in

Trying harder to pretend

But am fronting all the while

[PRE-HOOK:]

[CHORUS x2]

[BRIDGE:]

If I don't react, would she give me up

Would she change or lose attention

O... the faith I lack... has me missin' so much

Am I wrong for my ommission

Why did I neglect what I knew from the start

Did I lose my intuition

When I just wanna say... I love her everyday

[CHORUS]

[VAMP OUT:]I'm thinkin'... I'm fallin

Go and check it out at www.myspace.com/mateo

I've written a track with DJ Matt Cahill (UK) so will hopefully post it up on www.myspace.com/vananhnguyenmusic soon.

Hoping to see all you QLDers in Maroochydore this weekend for a massive Heart Reach Australia (www.heartreachaustralia.com) Benefit Saturday 9th, 2pm!

Always,
Van-Anh

Fashion Palette 09

Last week was obviously the big Fashion week for Sydney, with Rosemount Australian Fashion WEek throughout the week followed by Fashion Palette 2009. With its inauguration with the Launch Party @ Cargo, it was off to a good start! The 2 day event @ the Sydney Convention Centre had fashionistas, buyers, students and curious fashion driven minds filtering the auditorium, eager to find out what was in stored for them. General Pants had already won several girls with their free 15 minute studs campaign, pressing studs into Levis & Converse shoes for you to keep.

The highlight for the first day was definitely fashion illustrator Arturo Elena (http://www.arturoelena.com/). What a phenomenally polite an gentle giant. Such finesse and detail in his amazing artworks of Amazonian statuesque illustrations.



Then there was Paul Fields of Stand. All i can say is inspirational...especially if you are a fashion student or aspiring designer. Such positive vibes...which brings me to the point of this entry.



Positivity. I make a point of surrounding myself with positive people, positive vibes. That's why i felt a strong connection and alikeness with Paul Fields because his energy was all positive. Why let negativity pull you down? Why be around people who don't believe in you? They'll be the ones in the wrong later on when you've made it to where you want to be.



I'm just going to leave it at that for now. Sleep awaits. I have yet another amazing Leonado Salinas dress to wear this weekend, thanks Leo! You're a gem! Fresh from his SS 09/10 season, i'm so grateful and it is such a privilege to be able to wear it.



Stay well and smiling,

Van-Anh x
P.s. twitter twitter twitter :)

retail therapy worthiness

Wow, its been a whirlwind of a month. Exactly one month since my last entry. I swear I tried to do one after I got back from Adelaide but Easter came along of which I must admit, was eventful to say the least. My stylist and website designer, Nicky Kent (http://www.takealeap.com.au/) flew up along with photographer Jackie Tran to shoot for my up and coming website (http://www.vananh.com.au/) - Do check it out. Nicky, thank you for your amazing dedication, for believing in me, for your work around the clock. You are an absolute gem! Jackie, thank you for your amazing photographs. I can't wait to share them with everyone. Thank you to the team at Theme & Variations, Willoughby for letting me use their amazing concert grand Steinway as well as their space for the shoot. And thank you to Leonardo Salinas (http://www.leonardosalinas.com/) and Manning Cartell (http://www.manningcartell.com.au/) for their amazing dresses.

Here is just a sneak peek of what he has done:

Photography: Jackie Tran

The complete website should be all up within a week or so with the holding page up already. I'd love to hear your thoughts and get feedback.

Then, came a week of preparing for what is to come..concerts in QLD (Annual Heart Reach Australia Benefit Concert) followed by another in Canberra, closely followed by Sydney and then another Bridal show at Luna Park's Crystal Palace.

I've been honoured to be asked to play with Eminence Symphony Orchestra (http://www.eminenceonline.com/?q=about) so that is an up and coming project I'm really looking forward to.

All that aside, there have been things I've realised having met certain people, having experienced hardship, pain, hurt, happiness, failure and success all within the last month - everything happens for a reason. Some things are just out of your control whether good or bad. Even if you WANT to control it, it's out of your hands and your feelings take over. Whatever it is, you must be strong because that will pull you right through to that goal of yours. People around you may not have faith in you; some may be supportive all the way, some may try to cut you down by spreading foul things but a very wise teacher told me something once at a piano competition - 'you are a horse. And you have your ...whats the word...those things which covers the horses to keep them on track..yes, those. You have those on...and you gallop, you race, you keep your eye on the goal'. I, to this day, strong believe that. Headstrong. Heartstrong.

It's also really funny what you can get out of a shallow movie such as 'Confessions Of A Shopaholic' - it made me realise, you can go and buy all these things to make things seem better, but in the end, they are just things and if you have no one to share your life with, then what is it really worth? zilch in my books! I must say, retail therapy DOES work, but yes, it is only momentary....then it's back to the drill.

I leave you with a thought by A.Hamilton which I've been toying with the past few days: 'If you stand for nothing, you'll fall for everything'.

Signing out for now for an early night,
stay smiling!
gracious love,
Van-Anh

P.S I've jumped on the twitter bandwagon. You can twitter me @ www.twitter.com/vananhpianist :)

P.P.S Lest we forget...Have a safe Anzac Day weekend everyone.

Knowing & Not Knowing.

A dear friend said to me today, 'V-A, you're addicted to drama'. Yes, the fact is true. I love drama. I'm addicted to drama. I AM drama! My life is often referred to as a soapie. So many eventful things happen and I honestly wouldn't have it any other way. Regardless of whether it's happy, sad, angry, blonde, silly or deep - it totally makes up the wonderful world of ME.

I love the fact of knowing, but at the same time, I love not knowing. Confusing huh? I love knowing the minute details of someone. I love doing the research to get context, get scope and pull out those random facts during interviews for them to go 'what the? where did you pull that from?' HA! i guess it's just my inner curiosity which shines through. Then, it goes and bites you in the arse. I was going to say 'you can never know too much', but I beg to differ. There are just SOME things which really should be kept to yourself. Honestly, don't broadcast it because you need to secure and reassure yourself of something. That should come from within.

Then the act of not knowing. I approach life with the utmost spontaneity and passion. I need to be constantly challenged and for that challenge to occur, not knowing what is around that next corner; leaving yourself unguarded and vulnerable for anything to come your way. Give it a try - if you don't like the taste of it, spit it out. At least you tried and you could have enjoyed it along the way :) If you didn't, it was just another lesson to add to your Life Studies 101 notebook. Live dangerously and your life will no doubt be mottled with stories.

My friend did a very insightful and humorous presentation in my Modernism & Postmodernism class today. She did a presentation on Barbie and how Barbie can support post-modernist theories. In short, it's true that Barbie is a chameleon. She can be anything you want her to be. What does she do? ADAPT! Key word boys and girls, ADAPT. Adapt to the situations around you, worldliness, recycling ideas and reverting to the past is a given - but remember that these past ideas are modified so as to be uniquely you in the society that you live in. So what is my point here? People change. Let go of the past or at least re-examine what has happened and maybe it's time to make a change.

Advice of the day: Go take a bath. It's VERY therapeutic. Then take a moment to reflect.
I think i'm getting addicted.

Stay smiling busybees,
V-A

Boys With Girlfriends!

You meet people for a reason. How many friends have come and gone? How many have actually stayed and remained true friends? probably a handful...if not even less.
I think I'm at a stage in life, at the ripe old age of 21, where I am enjoying life to its ultimate. So many interesting characters to bring insight to your life and for you to bring insight into theirs. You never know where life will take you.....it will change its course along with the wind. Sometimes, that course is nasty...at other times, it will be the best wave you've ever riden. Regardless, it will shape who you are and you will learn from those experiences.

It is the ability to feel which is so important to me. Being able to express it all and being open about it.

I got introduced to this song today by a dear friend, which i laughed so hard to:

Boys With Girlfriends - Meiko

When I first met you I knew you were the one
'Til you took me home and I met her
She had your boxers on
She was listening to your song
And I thought right then that you had everything
But I knew she was jealous from the start
Yeah I knew she was jealous from the start
'Cause I know better not to be friends with boys with girlfriends
I know better than that I know better
You play the victim and I'll be the bad guy
I know better than thatI know better

We started hanging around after nine
I could've sworn that I was yours
You looked at me and said, "It's a little too late for bed"
We went to the hotel and talked about everything

But I knew she was jealous from the start
Yeah I knew she was jealous from the start 'Cause
I know better not to be friends with boys with girlfriends
I know better than that I know better (Oh oh oh oh)(Oh oh)(Oh oh oh oh)(Oh oh)
You play the victim and I'll be the bad guy
I know better than thatI know better

What she did to us was tragic
And I have to do what's right
What we had was really magic
But I have to get what's mine
What's mine
I'll get what's mine and you'll get yours
'Cause I know better not to be friends with boys with girlfriends
I know better than that I know better
You play the victim and I'll be the bad guy
I know better than that
I know better I know better not to be friends with boys with girlfriends
I know better than that
I know better You play the victim and I'll be the bad guy
I know better than thatI know better that that
I know better not to be friends with boys with girlfriends Oh
I know better than that I know better .

Keep smiling y'all!
V-A

Andre Rieu dissertation

Once again, a whirlwind of events have successively occured causing a delay in blogging. I've had a predicament which I think i've come to terms with. For anyone who knows me at all, the two words 'Andre Rieu' sends a priceless expression across my face. Some call it a love-hate relationship. Some say I wish I was Andre. Trust me, if you're doing a concert to 20,000 people, you'd be happy too.When people found out I had personally bought the Andre Rieu Autobiography, they could not understand. Honestly, I admire the guy. I wanted to know how he did it. Can't say the book told me too much but hey... At what, 57, he sold over 20 million records worldwide, was able to staple the No. 1 spot (along with multiple other places within the top 10) on Australia's Top DVD charts for weeks on end and even rallied for the re-opening of ANAM (he really earned extra brownie points in my books for doing that! :D). He owns 2 Strads, ships around a Fazioli piano to every gig of his and even has his son Piere Rieu drop his job as a lawyer to be his production manager. Jealous yet?

Sure, people can bicker all they like at how 'crass' he has made classical music...I fall into that category. I guess 'crass' may not be the word of choice, but more so downgrade it for the masses. And you know what? There is nothing wrong with that. Except maybe the horrid wigs and fru-fru dresses which he has his orchestra wear. That's a little OTT. But hey! It works! The old men and ladies love it.

In my dealings with various artists, students, music lovers and of course musicians themselves of all ages, shapes and sizes, I really believe that Andre has opened up the doors of the forbidden and pedestaled classical music to the masses. Classical music is a dying artform and at least he is doing his bit to make sure people are appreciating it.
Through my collaborations with Thanh Bui over the last gig, I've found the niche of mixing the classical and pop genres can be tastefully done. I know, I know, you'd probably be telling me Chopin is tossing in his grave if he ever heard his Revolutionary Etude mashed up with One Republic's Apologise but we live in the 21st Century people! Be open!

After all, music brings joy. It brings people together. It breaks down the barriers of words and through sounds and rhythms, connects one another and sends you into oblivion...a suspended world of bliss. Music makes people feel and sparks emotions. For every song, I'm sure there will be a memory attached to it.

What I believe even more strongly is right in the famous quote by Maurice Ravel ..'one must not forget that it is sensitiveness and emotions which makes the music..'. I believe this with all of my heart and put my heart and soul into absolutely every piece I play. Whether it is a Mozart Sonata or Michael Jackson's Billie Jean, I bear all, making myself ultimately vulnerable for the audience to experience exactly what I experience.

I think I've come to a happy conclusion that what Andre is doing is completely fine. If not, I aspire to do something similar. In my own little way...but I will make sure that Classical music will remain alive.

exhaustion

Not much to say except that i'm physically and mentally exhausted. Soundless sleep is something i crave a lot of the times, and i finally got it last night...due to the stresses of deadlines.

I had 2 articles due for April Issue of Fine Music Magazine and honestly, I forget how stressful the deadlines are!
I had them done but it's the whole fine-tuning and re-working and MORE re-working of the piece which drove me into the wall. They say you yourself are the hardest critique which i completely agree...that's why I drove myself crazy reading the pieces over and over.

The first was about the YouTube Symphony Orchestra and after calling everyone I possibly knew who could have entered the audition online, I was stuck with noone ... noone i knew from Australia did this audition?! How could that be when SSO apparently sent out promo for it all to the Philharmonic and SYO and Sinfonia? Oh well...I had to spin my article a different angle.
Then there was my 2nd article on dearest John Allison. This was most difficult to remove myself and not become too emotional...

It all got done and thank god for that. I love being able to put the music and writing together. It just makes the reflection process that much more enjoyable :0

Anyways, that's all from me now. Hopefully another soundless sleep is just around the corner :)
Stay smiling,
V-A

Child prodigy meets Australian Idol

Sunday 1st March, 2009
Castle Towers Level 3, Grand Piano
11am-1pm

Dynamic duo Van-Anh Nguyen (concert pianist) and Thanh Bui (Australian Idol Top 8 2008) collaborate to give you a mind-blowing sneak preview to the up and coming Victorian Bushfire Relief Concert (The Hills Centre, March 27th 2009). The performances consist of classical piano pieces, pop tunes, jazz standards and a fun improvisatory trip through favourites.

Come along and support us!!! Would love to see you all there :)

V-day weekend

I sort of started to write in the wee-hours of Valentine's Day morning but i thought, why bother? It's just one of those days...just another day really. This year for some reason, I don't know if it's just me, capitalism, commercialism of everything possible for those 'big' days or a combination of all of the above but Valentine's Day was plastered everywhere. Everywhere I turn, red this, love you that, teddy bear this, heart-shaped balloons that. I walked into the Chocolate Box store down in Melbourne on the weekend and what's the first thing I see? a candy-bra.
I did my kind deeds to the community by playing at Castle Towers for Valentine's Day...in the red dress. Glammed it up and had fun before flying to Melbourne for the weekend.

Melbourne never siezes to amaze me...fun every single time! It was very busy and quite irritating at the start since Qantas decided to have a baggage strike that morning plus flights were delayed by 45 minutes. Waiting and Van-Anh does NOT go in the same sentence, let me tell you that! Flying into Melbourne, you could see a film of smog and the realisation that the fires were in this State hit. The air smelt of smoke and friends told me it was only 50kms away from the city. Kind of a daunting fact but I guess the firefighters are doing all that they can. Alas, I made it to the Rendezvous after a dead phone battery and impatiently and the weekend consisted of much food, chocolate, amazingly fun friends, music, dancing, sore feet and last minute shopping to support my love of Australian designers :)

It all ended too soon when Monday morning came and calls came in for Vivo Music School and Vivo Entertainment Agency as well as the Bushfire Relief Concert plans go full force ahead. The Hills Centre, Friday 27th March 2009 is the scheduled date and venue! Line-up to be confirmed but it will definitely be a BIG concert!
There is so much that is happening right now that i'd like to classify it as organised frenzy!!!! there's an energy around. there's people i connect with like never before. i'm excited about life.
back to work.
xx
V-A

going the hard yards..

Sorry it's been a while since my last entry. The days leading up to the weekend was hectic as ever, getting last minute things ready for the Sydney Bridal Fashion Week. Then, the aftermath came with the calls to follow up and bookings for gigs this weekend which was perfectly fine because it just showed that the hard work paid off.
Hard work or not, I was very satisfied with how my feet held up. In 4 1/2 inch heels from 9am-3am with barely a moment to sit down on the Saturday, then back into the heels for more promo work for Vivo Entertainment Agency on Sunday from about 9am to 1:30am (including the parties and clubs each night to mingle with the Melbournites who visited!). Next day, brunched at Blackbird, meandered down to Lindt Cafe and then played tour guide for the Melbournites, walking from Darling Harbour all the way to The Rocks......IN HEELS :)
Oh well, yesterday, i spent the day in flat shoes....felt a bit strange :)

Amidst all of that, of course there was the Victorian Bush Fires. I can't believe how terrible it has been and not watching much TV, the only updates I get are from friends. The death toll keeps rising and all I can say is that my thoughts are out to those who have lost friends and family. Australia is one weird country. 60% flooding up in QLD, bushfires down south, all on the East Coast. Which country has such a strange topsy-turvy weatherman?!?!?!

This coming week is just as hectic, with the plannings for the Agency picking up as well as concerts to rehearse for and music to practice, write and play.
I'm so so so excited about life right now, everything seems to be falling into place and I'm living life at about 1000000000 miles an hour. I was so excited yesterday that my head was spinning, then it started hurting and I couldn't wipe the grin off my face.
It's nice to feel that happy once in a while...you should ALWAYS feel that happy.

Anyways, back to work. Stay smiling,
Van-Anh

revamp time

I've finally taken the time to do a quick browse and revamp my blogspot layouts. Nothing too fancy, nothing too overtly trivial - just pianos, cupcakes and diamonds :) 3 of the most important things.... ;)

Unfortunately in the last 24 hours, I have had to visit the hospital once again after vowing not to go back there (after last year's stint...or 4 stints to the hospital). There was nothing much I could do, except get them to operate. It seems to be my constant reminder to wind down, have a bit of ME time but that doesn't seem to be possible. Hospitals are like enforced rest time for me. Sitting in emergency and waiting for like 4 hours = light reading time. Almost finished One Fifth Avenue :) I'm now back home and back to the usual workaholic state in the world of Van-Anh. Thank you to everyone and their lovely messages, support and care, especially to Alex for driving me there and back and waiting in emergency. That's what business partners are for aren't they? ;) Kidding, couldn't have done it without you and thank you for your care.

A dear friend did recall those wise wise words, health is gold. And I'd have to agree, it is. Once you run yourself down to the ground, those steps you took forward end up rewinding and you'll find yourself having to pick up those loose ends and ammending them again.

~EXPECTATIONS~
The other thing I've noticed recently has to do with expectations. I hold fairly high expectations on myself and sometimes, impose those onto others. Some may think this is unfair, but at least it means everything around me would be of a higher level wouldn't it?

~PASSION~
If anyone knows me even the slightest, they'll know the passion and the energy I'll put into everything I do. I'm close to a perfectionist and I know in this world, if things are perfect, they are wrong. So i strive to make things 'perfect'...to the point of exhaustion. That is where the fine line will lie. Finding a happy medium to create a perfect thing, yet maintain your own insanity and health.

~ME TIME~
I guess 'me' time is spent reading and writing. As arbitrary as some of this may sound, I enjoy it.

It's early so I should go back to my limbering state. 3 days of bed rest (yeah right..). Maybe I SHOULD stick to what the docs say for once, and get better!

keep smilin',
V-A

not having what you want

I've neglected this blog completely, almost forgetting that it existed until today. Blogs are funny things. When interesting things happen to you, you never have time to jot them down. Then when you have time, it's more of a reflection than anything.

So, am I in a reflective mood? Pretty much.

The past week has been ridiculously tumultuous. Vivo Music School is excelling as the days go by which just shows that if you put the effort in, anything is possible. We hit our target before the start of term, and Vivo Entertainment Agency is picking up gigs for weddings. Speaking of weddings, we will be showcasing our musicians as well as our special wedding packages at the Sydney Bridal Fashion Week (6th - 8th February 2009) held at Sydney Olympic Park, Sports Centre. It is the biggest bridal show in the Southern Hemisphere so come along!

As a musician, travel is a big part and inspiration is even a bigger part. I have to say that having opened myself into the Vietnamese community will bring a variety of things this year.

As a musician growing up on classical foundations but personality not really fitting that mould, I'm finding a happy medium of doing both. Classical music can be enjoyed by youths and I plan to make that happen. Just watch this space ;)It makes a huge difference when you bump into people who share just as much passion and love for music.

Living in a world which is built around routine and discipline, musicians really fall into the category of Bohemians, breaking down the walls of routine. Sure, discipline would be at its height for anyone wanting to succeed to their fullest capacity but routine. It is truly a breath of fresh air when you surround yourself with people who work hard but play hard as well.

That's the way I've lived life, and i continue to do so.

Signing out on the first day of February.

Stay smiling,

V-A