The person who ignited the passion for traditional musical instruments.

In the hustle and bustle of modern life, where the vibrant melodies of contemporary music dominate, at Yen Bai Vocational College, there is a woman who quietly but persistently preserves and spreads the values ​​of traditional music. That is teacher Tran Huyen Trang. For her, the sound of the instrument is not just music, but a cultural source that needs to be preserved and passed down through generations.

Born and raised in a family with a rich artistic tradition, Tran Huyen Trang was immersed in the melodies of traditional Vietnamese musical instruments from a young age. The image of her mother – a dedicated player of the 36-string zither – deeply imprinted itself on Trang's mind, becoming the first source of inspiration that led her to pursue a career in music .

Teacher Tran Huyen Trang (in the yellow shirt) during a lesson.

Her mother's guidance and teaching ignited in her a passion for traditional musical instruments. Determined to pursue a professional career, Huyen Trang worked hard and graduated from the Vietnam National Academy of Music - the leading art training institution in the country.

After years of studying in the capital, instead of seeking opportunities on big stages, Huyen Trang chose to return to her hometown of Yen Bai (before the unification). With the mindset of a daughter wanting to show gratitude to her homeland, she shared her accumulated knowledge and experience with students, hoping to ignite their love and pride in traditional Vietnamese music.

At the Faculty of Arts, Yen Bai Vocational College, teacher Tran Huyen Trang is not only a lecturer but also a bridge connecting the younger generation with traditional Vietnamese music. In each lesson, she guides students to explore the beauty of the sounds from traditional Vietnamese musical instruments such as the 36-string zither, the tơ-rưng, ​​and the stone xylophone. From the clear, delicate sounds of the 36-string zither to the powerful resonance of the tơ-rưng or the deep, majestic tone of the stone xylophone, she teaches them all with passion and dedication. For her, traditional musical instruments are the embodiment of the Vietnamese soul, the crystallization of cultural essence and the creativity of our ancestors.

Beyond teaching technique, she also guides students in understanding the origins, materials, and cultural value of each musical instrument. From shaping each finger and rhythm to explaining why bamboo, reeds, or stone can be used to make musical instruments, she helps students feel that each instrument possesses its own unique "soul."

The students listened attentively as teacher Tran Huyen Trang performed on traditional Vietnamese musical instruments.

Coming from a remote village in Van Chan commune, Lao Cai province, Giang Thi Mai, a Mong ethnic girl and currently a first-year student in the K1 traditional musical instrument class, still clearly remembers the early days of getting acquainted with the zither.

Mai said that she was initially quite hesitant and anxious. However, with her approachable and easy-to-understand teaching methods, Ms. Tran Huyen Trang helped her gradually overcome the initial difficulties. Ms. Trang meticulously guided her through each note, helping her out-of-tune sounds gradually become more accurate. For Mai, Ms. Trang is not only a teacher but also a source of motivation for her to continue pursuing her musical path.

Teacher Tran Huyen Trang guides Giang Thi Mai in practicing each rhythm of the piano.

Not only Giang Thi Mai, but also Khang A Hai, a second-year student of the Mong ethnic group from Pung Luong commune, found his passion for traditional musical instruments thanks to Ms. Trang's guidance.

A Hai shared: "Previously, I was only familiar with the sounds of the Hmong people's flutes and pipes. When I was introduced to the stone xylophone and other bamboo musical instruments under Ms. Trang's guidance, I realized the richness and uniqueness of ethnic music. She not only taught me performance skills but also helped me understand that preserving the sounds of the forest is also about preserving our cultural identity."

From then on, Hai's love for traditional musical instruments grew stronger, becoming the motivation for her to practice every day with the dream of one day becoming a guardian and disseminator of cultural values ​​like her teacher.

Teacher Tran Huyen Trang guides students in practicing traditional Vietnamese musical instruments.

Not only a lecturer, Tran Huyen Trang is also an active performing artist in many art programs of the province and the school. On stage, her music is sometimes deep and resonant, sometimes melodious and echoing like a stream in the forest, immersing listeners in the cultural space of the nation.

For Huyen Trang, performing is not just about showcasing technique, but also about bringing traditional musical instruments closer to the public.

Teacher Tran Huyen Trang performs on traditional Vietnamese musical instruments.

Teacher Tran Huyen Trang's efforts have contributed to affirming the position of the Faculty of Arts, Yen Bai Vocational College in training human resources in culture and arts for the province and the region.

Quietly but persistently, this female artist and lecturer continues to pass on her passion for traditional musical instruments to the younger generation, ensuring that traditional sounds continue to resonate amidst modern life, becoming a source of pride in the flow of national culture.

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/nguoi-thap-lua-dam-me-nhac-cu-dan-toc-post895216.html