Hai Yen Tran, a member of Concordia Hanoi's class of 2022, is currently pursuing her studies at Yale University on a full academic scholarship, where she is expected to graduate in 2026. She is double majoring in Statistics and Data Science, as well as Ethics, Politics, and Economics. Since her freshman year, she has been an active member of the Glee Club at Yale, which has provided her with numerous opportunities to travel, including trips to Kenya, Washington, Alaska, and Montreal. Next year, she looks forward to embarking on a journey to the Philippines. Discover how Hai Yen's involvement in the Glee Club has profoundly shaped her college experience.

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

“During my first year at Yale, I auditioned for the Yale Glee Club, where I sing alto. It has been an incredible experience, as we perform several concerts throughout the year and collaborate with the Harvard and Princeton Glee Clubs in the fall, winter, and spring.

We also go on tours both domestically and internationally. In my freshman year, we traveled to Kenya, and in my sophomore year, we visited Seattle and Alaska. We often explore other destinations within driving distance, such as Washington, D.C., and Montreal. This coming year, we are excited to travel to the Philippines.

In addition to the Glee Club, I also sing in smaller chapel choirs on campus. While the Glee Club consists of about 80 members, these chapel choirs have around 15 singers. I am even paid to rehearse and sing in services, as we learn a new piece every week to keep things fresh. We also have special services for Christmas and Easter, where we perform larger pieces and collaborate with other chapel choirs.

Overall, my musical experiences at Yale have been enriching and have allowed me to travel to some amazing places while connecting with talented musicians.”

How did Concordia influence your passion for music?
“At Concordia, the arts have always been a significant part of the experience, and we were always encouraged to take them as electives. I began taking choir in 7th grade and have continued with it ever since. Even though music was just a class, it helped me develop valuable skills, such as learning to listen to my peers and sing in a way that blends well with others. Over time, I learned how to interpret musical pieces more effectively.

In middle school, we started with simpler pieces, but as we built those foundational skills, we progressed to more complex works in high school. We tackled longer parts and incorporated performance techniques like body percussion, movement, and more theatrical elements, which added rhythm and depth to our performances.

This experience allowed me to truly feel the music and understand what it’s like to sing in a community with others. It greatly aided my transition to a larger choir in college. Over the years, I have honed my ability to focus on my part while ensuring that it sounds harmonious with everyone else, which has been instrumental in my musical journey.”

Can you describe a memorable moment or performance at Concordia that shaped your musical journey?
“It's hard to think of just one. In 9th grade, we were introduced to a new concept in concerts that allowed us to perform small solos, giving us the chance to showcase our individual interests and talents at our own pace. I had the opportunity to do a duet with my brother, where I played the piano while we sang together. Prior to this, I wasn't particularly enthusiastic about solo singing; I had only received brief solos in choir, never one that was extended. Performing alone felt much more exposing, as my voice was much more prominent.

Preparing for this concert was significant for me, especially since it took place before my brother graduated. We chose to sing the song "Stay," which is about two people trying to remain together. Through this experience, I was able to express my feelings about my brother leaving. While it was exciting to think about the future, it was also a bit scary. This opportunity helped me expand my horizons and realize that I could explore various musical styles, something I have continued to pursue through individual voice lessons.

Another time was when we did Beethoven's 9th symphony. The entire piece was sung in German, featuring numerous vocal parts that needed to transition seamlessly to create a grand atmosphere over the orchestra.I was involved in both the choir and the orchestra, which allowed me to experience the music from two different perspectives. We also did Beethoven's 9th symphony at Yale which was a nice callback.”

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 the regular choir meetings at Concordia were incredibly helpful in preparing me for the musical activities at university. Getting into the routine of attending choir, beyond just singing for fun, has been a valuable skill. Here at Yale, things can get busier, and there may be more distractions, but I've learned to prioritize choir as a space to focus solely on the music.

My choir teacher at Concordia, Ms. Kate Meininger, always emphasized leaving whatever troubles you have outside the music room. That advice has stuck with me, and I find it incredibly helpful in dealing with the academic stress and independence of university life. Being able to leave my worries at the door and fully immerse myself in the joy of singing has given me a much-needed space to reclaim peace and recenter myself before tackling my other responsibilities.

The skills I developed at Concordia, like being able to focus solely on the music during rehearsals, have translated seamlessly to my university choir experiences. I'm grateful for the strong foundation Concordia provided, which has allowed me to continue pursuing my passion for music at Yale.”

What advice would you give to current students pursuing musical opportunities in university?
“If I could offer any advice to current students pursuing musical opportunities in university, I would say don't be afraid to try new things! University is such a great time to explore musical activities, even if you don't have specific experience. I know so many people who auditioned for glee clubs or a cappella groups who had never sung in a group setting before.

My biggest piece of advice would be to focus on enjoying the process. Nobody is looking at your extracurricular activities for resume purposes - you should pursue music because it's something you genuinely enjoy. At Concordia, I had the chance to develop my basics and sing songs I already liked. University allowed me to further hone my niche in music. And it doesn't have to be a professional pursuit at all. Even though I'm not a music major, I've always been able to set aside time to engage in music. For me, it's a space where I can leave my worries at the door and just enjoy the process of creating something with others.

University offers such a wealth of opportunities to explore your musical passions, regardless of your background or future career plans. My advice would be to not be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and try new things. Focus on finding the type of music you truly enjoy, and make time for it amidst all your other responsibilities. Music has been such a source of joy, relaxation, and community for me during my university years, and I hope it can be the same for you!”

How do you plan on staying involved in music upon graduation?
“As for my plans after college, I’m not exactly sure in a formal sense, but I definitely want to stay involved in music. I see myself participating in community choirs and informal settings. When I hang out with my brother, we still enjoy singing songs from our childhood together, often doing duets. In my free time, I also write my own songs, and I love attending songwriter nights and open mic events where I can share what I’ve created.

I recognize that universities are much bigger and more established, especially when it comes to the arts. They offer a wealth of events, programs, and funding that I can take advantage of. There are often many opportunities to perform for alumni and engage with the community.

Overall, I plan to explore all the musical opportunities available to me, and I’m excited to see where that journey takes me!”

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What is Hai Yen doing now?

After her first year at Yale, Hai Yen participated in a study abroad program in Ecuador, where she spent five weeks living with host families and traveling throughout the country to enhance her Spanish language skills. Last summer, she interned with the Association of Marshall Scholars, which manages alumni relations for recipients of the Marshall Scholarship. In this role, she contributed to data analysis, created reports, organized the database, and assisted in planning the flagship event, the Marshall Forum, held at the University of Chicago.

Looking ahead, Hai Yen aims to work at the intersection of data and socially oriented industries, effectively combining her majors. After gaining 2-3 years of professional experience, she plans to pursue further education, likely a master's degree or, more likely, a PhD, allowing her to focus on research and follow a more academic trajectory.

Thank you for joining us on this journey through our musical alumni series. We hope you enjoyed learning about the inspiring stories of our talented graduates and their continued passion for music. Your support means a lot to us!

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