The Thunder Bolt

This past summer, Concordia’s talented 7th grade student, Avy, distinguished herself at the Young Artist Friendship Festival in Da Nang, earning an impressive total of five awards amidst fierce international competition. The Young Artist Friendship Festival in Da Nang is an annual global event that brings together young performers from around the world, offering a unique stage for them to showcase their artistry and compete with fellow talented students.

Avy’s journey to the festival began with encouragement from her music teacher. This teacher, who was already a judge at this event, had encouraged Avy to sign up and give it a try. Avy competed against over 300 students that came from countries all over the world including Indonesia, Singapore, Brazil, and France. In addition to this, there were famous artists and music teachers coming from 11 countries that attended as well.

Avy participated in two distinct performance categories—one was a solo, where she played the traditional Vietnamese 19-string instrument, the Đàn Tranh. The other was a group performance, sharing the stage with other musicians playing instruments like the sáo trúc, đàn T'rưng, đàn bầu, and trống (drum).

Reflecting on the experience, Avy recalls being very nervous to perform in front of the large international audience stating this was the largest crowd she had ever performed in front of. She recalls the amount of preparation that was necessary before the start of the performance such as make-up and mentally preparing for the big show.

When reflecting on the festival, Avy described it as a celebration of music, filled with a wide range of instruments, from drums to traditional sounds, all coming together in performances that highlighted the diversity of expression. Beyond the lively atmosphere, she saw the event as more than just entertainment—it was an opportunity to showcase culture, share music, and emphasize the connections that music can create among people.

The moment Avy discovered she had won first prize was truly unforgettable. She hadn’t expected the result at all, since she was mostly focused on simply doing her best while being aware of her mistakes along the way. The news left her both surprised and overjoyed, filling her with excitement. What made the experience even more meaningful was having her family there to share the moment, as well as the opportunity to participate alongside her teacher and meet new friends throughout the experience. For Avy, it felt like living a dream.

Avy won a total of five festival awards: she received two individual golds, one for her solo and one for her group performance, two golds as category winner (“Group Performance” and “Solo 13 Years Old and Above”), and the festival’s overall top prize—a scholarship for first place. Her group category award is shared among the performers, while the trophy itself is kept by her teacher.

Winning first place gave Avy the opportunity to attend The Global Leadership Camp held by Corem in South Korea all paid for. Avy impressed the leaders at this camp so much that she received another opportunity to attend The Global Leadership Camp being held over winter break in Mongolia. With more opportunities of being able to attend this camp, Avy has an opportunity to receive a college scholarship for music.

Avy shared that the camp in South Korea took place from July 29 to August 5. The daily schedule was packed: mornings began with Taekwondo and Kpop dance lessons. Students rotated through club activities like drama, Taekwondo, Kpop, and musical club, all preparing something for the closing presentations. There were also team-building games and outings to Job World, Everland, Gyeongbokgung Palace (donning Hanbok), a swimming pool, and a mall. Avy enjoyed returning to the dorm each night and hanging out with friends, calling the experience “really fun”.

Looking to the future, Avy shared, “I want to keep learning, keep traveling, and keep making music with people from different cultures.” Music remains at the heart of Avy’s life. For her, it is not only a source of joy but also a way to cope with challenges. She explains that music can lift your spirits when you feel sad and give you space to reflect, learn, and grow. Beyond emotional strength, she sees it as a creative outlet—one that encourages imagination and allows her to connect with others through cultural expression at festivals and performances.

These experiences have fueled Avy’s desire to inspire others. She hopes to create music that encourages people to explore their own creativity and discover the same joy she finds in it. When asked what advice she would offer to fellow students, her message is simple but powerful: be yourself and don’t be afraid to share your music.

Learn more about Concordia's Middle School program.