Singer Ut Mai reveals the reason why People's Artist Thanh Hoa gave her her stage name.

Possessing a sweet voice and a charming face, Ut Mai won second prize in the Thanh Hoa Television Singing Contest 2003 and was among the Top 10 finalists in the national Sao Mai 2003 competition.

In 2004, she won the gold medal at the National Student Singing Competition for Art Schools organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism , and the gold medal at the National Singing Competition for Students and Vocational High School Students…

A graduate of the Vietnam National Academy of Music, she is currently a vocal instructor at the Central University of Arts Education.

Beloved for her songs "Homeland Lullaby," " Hanoi Song," "Season of Swallows Flying," "Aspiration," "Truong Sa So Close," "Song of the Homeland River," "Quang Binh, My Homeland,"... with over 20 years pursuing a singing career, Ut Mai has released albums such as "Why Not a Song," CDs, and DVDs like "Old Spring Wharf," "Oh Homeland,"...

Recently, the singer from Thanh Hoa province released more than 20 folk songs from various regions, such as "Missed Appointment with the Lam River," "Searching for You with a Song of the Lam River," "Remembering My Homeland," "Oh, My Homeland Ha Tinh ," "The Road Back to Thanh Hoa," etc., on YouTube.

Before entering the National Academy of Music, Ut Mai studied vocal music at Thanh Hoa University of Culture, Sports and Tourism and was retained as a lecturer. Later, she was sent by the university to study part-time at the Vietnam National Academy of Music, but only for three months a year. Wanting to dedicate herself to music, Ut Mai left Thanh Hoa and moved to Hanoi to study full-time at the Academy.

"I came from Thanh Hoa to study with nothing, having to fend for myself and figure everything out on my own. In my first year, I performed at cafes and music venues for 70,000-80,000 dong, living in a 7-square-meter room with singer Thanh Le. No one in my family was involved in the arts, and we didn't have the means; we didn't even have enough to eat. So if I didn't try hard, I would remain stagnant. I had to work part-time while studying to ensure my livelihood and education," Ut Mai confided.

During those difficult early days, the singer met People's Artist Thanh Hoa, who invited her to perform with a generous fee of 120,000 VND per night. It was People's Artist Thanh Hoa who gave her the stage name Ut Mai. The singer said that her birth name is Ut, and since she participated in the Sao Mai 2023 competition, her stage name is Ut Mai.

"I am always grateful to People's Artist Thanh Hoa for the support and assistance she provided me when I first arrived in Hanoi. The name she gave me is also very auspicious. I am fortunate to have been guided and mentored by many teachers," singer Ut Mai shared.

Looking back on the past, the singer confided that sometimes, when she thinks back, her life feels like a dream, because if she hadn't worked hard, she wouldn't be where she is today. An artist's life is like a silkworm spinning its thread; with effort, there will be sweet rewards. After many ups and downs, I now have a stable life. I think I should just be content with what I have; being able to sing is happiness enough," Út Mai expressed.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/ca-si-ut-mai-tiet-lo-ly-do-duoc-nsnd-thanh-hoa-dat-nghe-danh-19624022911492408.htm