Teacher Nguyen Thi My Dung - lecturer of the Department of Piano - Symphony, Hanoi College of Arts started studying the piano at the age of 6.
In the early days of getting used to the piano, she was sometimes depressed because she had to study and practice for many hours, sometimes asking her father for a day off... Overcoming those difficulties, Ms. Dung still persevered in both studying culture and practicing the instrument, before passing the entrance exam to the Vietnam National Academy of Music in grade 8.
After 18 years of studying and practicing at the Vietnam National Academy of Music, from intermediate and university level to completing 2 years of master's studies and 25 years of working with the piano, teacher My Dung has accumulated a lot of experience and a solid professional foundation.
As a lecturer, she accompanied and taught many generations of students; contributing to bringing many young Vietnamese talents to win awards at international music competitions.
Sharing about her profession, Ms. Dung confided: Now, a piano is my breath and source of life, an indispensable thing in life. When teaching, whenever I see students studying stressed and depressed, I share with them to relax themselves, not to consider playing the instrument as a necessity, but to consider it as a way to make friends with music to be able to play happily and enjoy...".
In addition to teaching, Ms. Dung also uses music to share love and help children in difficult circumstances being treated at the National Children's Hospital and the Department of Pediatrics of Hospital K.
Since 2022, she has organized a concert series "Cursing the Dream" to raise funds to support children in surgery and treatment. This idea was born from a time when Ms. Dung participated in a performance at the National Children's Hospital. At that time, an officer from the Social Work Department came to thank me for bringing my children a meaningful music program, some of whom were watched a lot but some of whom were the first time and the last time... My heart was as if choked up, Ms. Dung shared.
Those words urged Ms. My Dung to do something to help them with the mindset that they cannot cure their illness but can use music to heal somewhat. She wants to give the children her own spiritual gift through her voice...
By 2025, "Continuing to write Dreams" will be organized and maintained continuously for 4 years, with the amount of funds raised increasing every year. In 2023, the program raised 50 million VND; in 2024, the amount increased to 100 million VND. Right from the first year, Ms. Dung and her students performed and raised funds to help three children with liver transplant patients. After that, I decided to share the program with my colleagues to be able to spread the spirit of humanity, and organize bigger music nights with everyone, she said.
The "Continuing to write Dreams" concert series operates according to the 5-no" rule: No organization fee, no rental fee, no fees for artists, no ticket sales and no cash receipt. The program was open to everyone for free, there were no fundraising calls throughout the performance and all contributions were transferred directly to the hospital.
On the journey to add hope to the children, teacher My Dung is not alone. She and the volunteers organized the program; performed with students and artists, practicing together a month before, preparing for the music night taking place in the last days of the year.
Sharing about a case of support, Ms. Dung told about the boy Vang Thanh Giang, from Sin Ho (Lai Chau), when he needed equipment to undergo brain surgery. "After that, when I called to ask, I learned that my child was in good health. I supported the cost of sending him to Hanoi for a check-up and invited him to attend the concert. Seeing my child healthy again is the greatest joy for me, said Ms. Dung.
In addition to teaching and helping children with autism, teacher Nguyen Thi My Dung is also the Secretary of the Youth Union of Hanoi College of Arts, participating in and leading many community activities.
In 2019, Ms. Nguyen Thi My Dung and many colleagues participated in the program "Love Women - Women are to love" calling for prevention of violence, protection of children and women's rights.
In 2023, she directly participated in the renovation and painting of nearly 800m2 of new murals, contributing to promoting tourism development and affirming border sovereignty in Po Hen, Mong Cai, Quang Ninh.
She is the founder of the concert series "Cursing the dream" with the goal of raising funds for children in difficult circumstances. From 2022 to present, the fund has collected hundreds of millions of VND, thereby helping 3 pediatric liver transplant patients with treatment costs after surgery (2022); more than 40 pediatric patients at the Department of Pediatrics - Tan Trieu K Hospital (2023) and more than 30 pediatric patients in difficult circumstances who lack surgical costs at the National Children's Hospital (2024); support all surgical costs and purchase necessary medical equipment for the surgery of Vang Thanh Giang with coronary artery cyst.
With a kind heart and actively participating in charity programs and for the community, Ms. Nguyen Thi My Dung was awarded the title of "Good people, good deeds" by the Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee in 2025 (according to Decision No. 2327/QD-UBND dated May 8, 2025 of the City People's Committee).
