Pianist from Vietnam earning kudos in state, international competitions
5 – minute read
Quang Vo, a sophomore piano performance major from Vietnam, is making quite a name for himself — and for Florida Gulf Coast University’s Bower School of Music & the Arts — throughout the state and internationally.
His success stems largely from outstanding performances at several classical piano competitions, including the prestigious Blanca Uribe Colombia International Piano Competition held in October in Ibagué, Colombia. Quang, who competed against 20 distinguished pianists from around the world over two weeks, advanced to the final round, where he faced two other musicians.
During the Blanca Uribe competition, named after a famous Colombian pianist, Quang performed several staples from the repertoire of solo piano, along with two concertos for piano and orchestra.
Although the competition was eventually won by a 33-year-old Russian who already has a thriving career, “this is a fantastic achievement for Quang and for FGCU,” said Michael Baron, professor and head of keyboard studies in the Bower School of Music.
“I am very proud of Quang,” he said. “His talent and hard work have allowed him as an 18-year-old to successfully compete with the best pianists in the world. The Bower School of Music attracts world-class talent from throughout the world. Our students perform widely in the Southwest Florida community as well as nationally and internationally.”
Among the international talents Baron has taught at FGCU are: Priscila Navarro, a Peruvian musician who performed at New York’s Carnegie Hall and is now a professor at the University of Kansas; and Hyae-jin Hwang, an alum from South Korea who teaches at Southern Methodist University.
Like many classical pianists, Quang participates in competitions because the rewards include raising their profile in the music world, cash prizes, recording deals and performance engagements.
Shortly after enrolling at FGCU, Quang won the Jack Heller Young Artist Competition of the Tampa Bay Symphony, which paved the way for him to perform Liszt’s virtuosic “Piano Concerto No. 1” several times with that ensemble.
He also won the 2024 solo and piano duet competitions of the Florida Music Teachers Association at the University of Miami; he will now compete with winners from nine other states to see who goes to the national finals in Minneapolis in March.
Quang credited his success to Baron’s teaching and mentorship. “Dr. Baron is a very good teacher,” Quang said. “I’ve learned so much from him.”
Quang’s journey to excellence on the piano owes something to chance. Neither of his parents, both telecommunications engineers, played the instrument. However, his mother was intent on opening up a world of possibilities for her son. So, when he was 5 years old, she began enrolling him in classes for several disciplines, including piano, organ, chess and drawing.
Quang would soon discover he had a knack for piano, having benefited from his teacher’s high-quality instruction. But he didn’t really aspire to become a professional until 2015, when he emerged as the best player at the Hanoi Music Festival at the Vietnam National Academy of Music. His festival success led to an offer for him to study at the academy, which reflects a music culture in Vietnam that emphasizes what Quang called “technical skill, discipline and emotional expression.”
Many of his peers in Vietnam aspire to study in the U.S. because of the country’s world-renowned education system, diverse cultural experiences and opportunities for personal growth, he said.
“The U.S. offers access to top universities, cutting-edge research and a wide range of specialized programs often unavailable in Vietnam,” he said. “Additionally, studying in the U.S. provides a chance to improve English skills, build international networks and increase career prospects.”
Baron’s and Quang’s paths first crossed a couple of years ago. Baron was performing in Vietnam and planned what he expected to be a masterclass for three or four students at the Vietnam National Academy of Music. Baron views teaching masterclasses as a way to identify and recruit top talent for his studio at FGCU.
“There was some sort of miscommunication with the authorities there in Vietnam,” Baron said. “When I got there, they told me they had 27 students ready to audition for me, which is absolutely not what I was expecting.”
Baron rearranged his schedule to ensure he had time to hear each student perform over two days.
“Quang was exceptional,” Baron said. “Immediately, as he played for me, I realized what an extraordinary talent he was.”
In time, Baron was able to arrange for Quang to attend the Bower School on a full scholarship.
“FGCU’s Bower School of Music receives international attention because of students such as Quang,” Baron said. “I am also grateful to the many donors in the community who allow talented students such as Quang to attend FGCU.” Donors also cover travel and other costs that Baron’s students incur when participating in competitions.
What’s next for Quang? More competitions, along with performances in Florida and beyond. He’s established a presence on YouTube, where listeners can hear him perform several pieces, including Scarbo from Ravel’s “Gaspard de la Nuit” and Chopin’s “Etude, Op. 25, No. 6.”
He aspires to pursue advanced degrees after completing his studies at FGCU and aims to build a career as both a performer and a teacher, similar to the path taken by Baron.
“I see a very bright future for Quang in the world of classical music,” Baron said.