HƯỚNG VIỆT PERFORMING ARTS GROUP, SEATTLE, USA

Nguyền nối lại cung đàn vạn thuở

Nắn nghìn xưa rung chuyển tận nghìn sau

Để cung đàn xoa dịu nỗi thương đau

Bởi cuộc thế bể dâu tan biến mãi

                 (Nguyễn Hữu Ba)

Hướng Việt Performing Arts Group

is a registered 501c3 nonprofit organization founded in 2001 by Dr. Hai Viet Hong with the goal to study, promote, preserve, and popularize Vietnamese traditional music and arts. Hướng Việt Performing Arts Group focuses on the musical techniques and traditions of our ancestral Vietnam. The classical songs are difficult to learn and master, requiring students to be patient and diligent. Vietnamese classical techniques are different from that of a majority of artists nowadays whose skills excessively emulate running notes and tremolos of the right hand in the Chinese manner. The Chinese influenced style is easier to learn for dramatic effect, hence favored by many students, but not representative of Vietnamese traditional music.   Huong Viet artists are trained by master artists of the 3 music regions of southern Vietnam, where musical traditions have not been influenced and diluted by the Chinese. Hence, our styles, techniques, and songs while difficult to master, are uniquely and proudly Vietnamese. Since 2001, Hướng Việt Performing Arts Group has performed throughout the United States, and around the world such as Canada, France, Australia and regularly provides educational opportunities through lectures, exhibits, and workshops on Vietnamese culture at universities, community colleges, elementary schools, and libraries.

Đoàn Văn Nghệ Dân Tộc Hướng Việt là một tổ chức bất vụ lợi 501c3 thành lập vào năm 2001 do bác sĩ Hồng Việt Hải với mục đích học hỏi, truyền bá, duy trì, và phát huy âm nhạc truyền thống Việt Nam.  Khác với đa số các nghệ sĩ ngày nay khi âm nhạc truyền thống Việt Nam chỉ chú trọng về kỷ thuật chạy ngón của tay phải và phong cách biểu diễn ảnh hưởng từ nhạc Trung Quốc. Lối học này đơn giản, dễ học, nên được các học sinh ưa chuộng, tuy nhiên, đây không còn là âm nhạc truyền thống VN nữa.  Với Đoàn Văn Nghệ Dân Tộc Hướng Việt, chúng tôi chú trọng đến kỷ thuật và bài bản âm nhạc thuần túy của Việt Nam. Các kỷ thuật và bài bản này khó học và đòi hỏi học viên phải chuyên cần tập luyện. Các giáo viên của Hướng Việt đều được đào tạo bởi các giáo sư chuyên về âm nhạc của ba miền đất nước ở miền Nam nên kỷ thuật, ngón đàn, và bài bản chúng tôi sử dụng và truyền bá đúng theo phong cách của âm nhạc cổ truyền Việt Nam, không bị lai căn, mất gốc, không ảnh hưởng âm nhạc Trung Quốc hoặc các quốc gia nào. Từ khi thành lập, đoàn thường xuyên lưu diễn, thuyết trình, quảng bá âm nhạc Việt Nam ở Hoa Kỳ cũng như các quốc gia khác trên toàn thế giới như Canada, Pháp, Úc Châu v.v.  Chúng tôi tự hào mình là người Việt Nam.

Dr. Hai Viet Hong, DAOM is the Founder and Executive Director of the Huong Viet Performing Arts Group.   Dr. Hong earned a Doctor Degree in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, and is currently practicing at Silver Crane Center for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine specilizing in pain management and oncology.  He received best Acupuncture clinic award by King5 Evening Magazine in 2013 and named as TOP DOCTOR by Seattle Met Magazine in 2016.  While he was an undergraduate student, he served as Vice-President and President of Vietnamese Student Association of Washington and University of Washington, and Vice President of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society.  Dr. Hong actively participates in many Vietnamese community non-profit organizations such as Editor in Chief for several magazines, Vietnamese instructor and music director for Đắc Lộ Vietnamese Language School.  Dr. Hong’s medical journals and articles frequently published in the popular Vietnamese weekly newspaper, Nguoi Viet Ngay Nay.  He is also the host for a popular Traditional medicine program on a popular Vietnamese TV channel, called VietTV.  Dr. Hong studied Dan tranh and Vietnamese traditional music with professor Phuong Oanh, professor Hoang Co Thuy, professor Nguyen Chau, master Ong Duc Xuan, dan tranh gold medalist Kim Uyen, ty ba artist Thuy Huynh, and Guzheng and Erhu with professors Buyun and Warren Chang.  He is the first Vietnamese chosen to received the Washington State Arts Commission Folkarts Award to teach Vietnamese music and arts from 2005-2008.  Dr. Hong is specilizing in Vietnamese traditional instruments, brush painting, and Vietnamese calligraphy.

Email:  director@vietmelody.org

Kim Le or Kim Uyen is a composer and virtuoso of Vietnamese traditional music on Dan Tranh. In 1984, she received the National Gold Medal for Excellent DanTranh Performance. Throughout years studying đàn tranh at the Vietnamese Conservatory of Music, Ms. Kim Uyen continuously ranked first in her class and graduated as a valedictorian. Upon her completion for master degree in music at Monash University, Australia, with a Women’s Scholarship, Ms. Kim Uyen actively performed and participated in many traditional musical programs across Asia, Australia, United States, Canada, and Europe. She has produced six  albums about Dan Tranh and Vietnamese traditional music, and appeared in numerous radio and television programs. Ms. Kim Uyen is also a member of many prestigious Vietnamese traditional music groups such as Tiếng Hát Quê Hương, Thiếu Nhi Lê Văn Khoa, Back to Back Zither, and Hồng Lạc. She is now residing in Ontario, Canada. Ms. Kim Uyen currently servea as Music Advisor for Hướng Việt Performing Arts Group since 2002
Email: advisor@vietmelody.org

Martin Sjolie:  Attorney Sjolie has lived and practiced law in Seattle since 1991.  He is an attorney in good standing with the Washington State Bar Association, and he currently resides in West Seattle. He was born and raised in Minnesota and graduated from St. Olaf College and William Mitchell College of Law.  He also has a long history of working within hospitals and nursing homes.  In addition to drafting wills and other personal documents, primarily for elderly clients, his practice is devoted to probate, settling auto accident claims, leases and contracts, small business needs, and the other routine legal concerns that beset most people.  Attorney Sjokie serves as Legal Advisor for Hướng Việt Performing Arts Group

Etsuko Ito has been an active member and served as Treasurer for Huong Viet Performing Arts Group since 2007.  Unlike other members, Etsuko Ito is a Japanese descent, however she is fluent in Vietnamese, English, and Japanese (her native language).  Etsuko Ito’s interests include piano, Dan Bau, Dan Tranh, Ty Ba, drums, and Vietnamese dances.
Email:  treasurer@vietmelody.org

Da Ba has been an active member and served as Media Chair for Huong Viet Performing Arts Group since 2005.  Majority of photos posted in this website are taken by Da Ba.  Our 2 recent DVDs (Vietnam Essence of Yesteryear 5 and 6) were shot and edited by him.
Email: media@vietmelody.org

Volunteer positions available, please contact us if you are interested.