The Thunder Bolt recently had the privilege of interviewing three distinguished Concordia International School Hanoi alumni from the classes of 2021 and 2022: Victoria You, Miles Roberts, and Hai Yen Tran. Each of these talented individuals discovered a deep passion for music during their time at Concordia, which continues to shape their college experiences. Join us as we explore their stories in a three-part series, and be sure to read to the end of each article to find out what they are doing now!

Victoria You, a graduate of Concordia Hanoi from the class of 2021, is currently pursuing her studies at the University of Pennsylvania, and is set to graduate from Penn in the Spring of 2025. She is majoring in Environmental, Social and Governance Factors for Business (ESGB), particularly focusing on environmental concerns. Since her freshman year, Victoria has been an active member of the a cappella group "Quaker Notes," where she has created meaningful connections and had the remarkable opportunity to perform live at Carnegie Hall, in New York City. We explore Victoria's journey, her insights on balancing academics with extracurricular commitments, and her aspirations for the future.

What have been your experiences with music in university? Where have you traveled?

“At the University of Pennsylvania, I have been immersed in a vibrant music scene. The a cappella community is particularly thriving, with some claiming that the movie Pitch Perfect was inspired by the a cappella scene here at Penn. Everyone has to audition for the group they want to join. I joined the all-girls group, Quaker Notes, as a freshman and am still an active member. This experience has allowed me to make countless friends and perform in shows every semester.

I also joined a rock band, which has a majority of Korean members. Last year, I became the president of the group and lifted restrictions, allowing more people to join. My musical background from Concordia, where I participated in choir, musical theater, and vocal ensemble, has been invaluable. My a cappella group, Quaker Notes, has had numerous opportunities to travel and perform. We opened for the Rockettes at their Christmas show in New York City and also performed at an alumni event at Carnegie Hall. We frequently receive support from Quaker Notes alumni.”

How did Concordia influence your passion for music?

“Concordia played a significant role in igniting my passion for music. It all started with the choir program in middle school, where I had the privilege of being taught by Ms. Kate Meininger. Through this experience, I gained confidence in singing and also had the opportunity to meet other people who shared my passion for music. Although I never formally studied music, I realized that I possessed more knowledge compared to other students. Concordia's choir and music classes were instrumental in providing me with a solid foundation.

In high school, we even took quizzes as part of our choir curriculum which proved to be challenging. However, this background in music proved to be invaluable when I joined an a capella group in college. In college, we were required to read music and compose certain pieces, and my prior experience from Concordia helped me navigate these tasks with greater ease and confidence.”
 

Can you describe a memorable moment or performance at Concordia that shaped your musical journey?
“One of the most memorable moments that shaped my musical journey at Concordia was participating in the school musicals. My first significant solo was playing Fiona in Shrek the Musical, which opened up a whole new world for me. Before that performance, I was terrified of singing in public and speaking in front of large groups. However, that experience helped me gain confidence and become more comfortable on stage.

In my senior year, I had the opportunity to play Elle in Legally Blonde. This performance was particularly special because it took place during a week filled with college acceptances, which was overwhelming yet exciting. Singing alongside my friends made the experience even more enjoyable.

One of the great things about Concordia is its small size, which fosters a close-knit community where everyone gets involved in various activities. As a result, my entire friend group was part of the musical, creating lasting memories together.”

Looking back, how do you feel your time at Concordia prepared you for your musical experiences and activities at university?
“Looking back, I feel that my time at Concordia significantly prepared me for my musical experiences and activities at the University of Pennsylvania. Participating in musicals gave me the confidence to audition when I arrived at Penn, despite everyone warning me about the intensity of the music scene. It truly is demanding, as it requires a lot of practice and balancing schoolwork with extracurricular activities. However, the academic rigor at Concordia taught me how to manage my time effectively.

At Concordia, I was involved in various activities, including playing volleyball, participating in musicals, and engaging in numerous extracurriculars. This diverse involvement helped me pursue both music and academics without feeling like I had to sacrifice one for the other. Musically speaking, my enjoyment of music in high school fueled my desire to continue pursuing it in college, making the transition seamless and fulfilling.”

What advice would you give to current students pursuing musical opportunities in university?
If I could offer advice to current students pursuing musical opportunities in university, I would say just go for it! I know many people who decided to take it easy and focus solely on academics, and as a result, they missed out on joining clubs they were passionate about. Most universities, especially for singing groups, hold auditions in the first semester, and many don’t even open auditions in the second semester. So, don’t be scared to audition early!

I understand that juggling schoolwork and music can be tough, but it’s absolutely worth it. I’ve made so many great friends through my music activities; in fact, most of my closest friends are in my a cappella group and my band. Embracing these opportunities has enriched my university experience, and I encourage everyone to take the leap!"

How do you plan on staying involved in music upon graduation?
“Looking ahead, I’m not entirely sure how I will incorporate music into my life after college, but I know I want to find a way. I really miss being in a choir and since I’m not part of one in college, I might consider joining one to reconnect with that experience. Additionally, Procter & Gamble has a music club that sounds really cool, and I’m thinking about joining that as well. I believe these opportunities will allow me to continue my passion for music while balancing my career.”

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What is Victoria doing now?

At the moment, Victoria is working at Procter & Gamble in South Korea within the Analytics and Insights division. In this role, Victoria is involved with two brands, Febreze and Braun. Her responsibilities include optimizing search engine visibility and ensuring that the products are effectively marketed across various social media platforms. During this internship, she was sent to Singapore for a week as a part of her training. Victoria hopes to secure a full-time position from her internship and is currently awaiting confirmation regarding a potential job offer. 

Look forward to more exciting content! Our next interview will feature Miles Roberts, who is currently attending Notre Dame.

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