Meritorious Artist Phuong Nga entered Sao Mai contest with 2 million VND, "fell in love" since 11th grade

(Dan Tri) - The female singer said that because her parents were busy, she went to Ho Chi Minh City alone to compete in Sao Mai. After being awarded the prize, she felt like a lonely star because she had no one by her side.

Meritorious Artist Phuong Nga is known as one of the leading soprano artists of the opera chamber genre of the same generation as artists including: Trong Tan, Anh Tho, Lan Anh...

Meritorious Artist Phuong Nga performs on stage (Photo: Character provided).

She won first prize in the first season of Sao Mai contest (2001) with the song Shadow of Kơ-nia tree by musician Phan Huynh Dieu, lyrics by Ngoc Anh.

Meritorious Artist Phuong Nga Sao Mai has released many music albums such as: Shadow of Kơ-nia Tree in 2004, Oh Beloved Life in 2012, Flowers and Music in 2014, Singing in the Pac Bo Forest in 2021...

Phuong Nga began studying vocal music professionally at the age of 14. She spent 3 years in elementary school, 4 years in intermediate school, 4 years in university, 3 years in graduate school and 6 years in doctorate. The female singer was awarded the title of Meritorious Artist in March this year.

Currently, she is Deputy Head of Vocal Department, Vietnam National Academy of Music.

Sharing with Dan Tri reporter, Phuong Nga said that thanks to the love of the audience, in addition to teaching, she still regularly performs in a number of art programs.

"However, I don't accept every program. I'm willing to participate in programs that are dedicated and official. As for other programs, I have certain choices. It's not because the pay is high or low, but if it's suitable, I will participate in the performance," Phuong Nga said.

When mentioning her first teacher, Meritorious Artist Phuong Nga revealed that it was her father - Doctor of Sociology Nguyen Manh Hien.

Her father studied in Russia for 12 years and received an honorary Red Diploma during that time. Growing up in a family with a tradition of studying, her parents were very strict with their children and thanks to that strictness, she always studied hard, worked seriously and was filial.

"My dad works at the Vietnam - Soviet Union Friendship Cultural Palace. That day, it was very sunny. I also had a class near where he worked. I said, "Dad, can I get a ride to class?" He said, "Go by yourself."

That whole day, I went to school feeling sorry for myself. When I came home in the evening, my father stroked my hair and said: "You see, you can overcome difficulties if you have will and determination. Don't let anything affect your work. My father's strictness helped me to be more steadfast and mature," Phuong Nga recounted.

Besides her father, her mother is also a very important person to her. Meritorious Artist Phuong Nga confided that her mother is the head of the accounting department so she is very good at calculating. She always loves her husband, children and now grandchildren with all her heart.

The female music doctor said that in 2001, she went to Ho Chi Minh City alone to take the Sao Mai exam because at that time, her father was on a business trip in Russia and her mother was busy building the house.

"I had 2 million VND in my pocket to go to Ho Chi Minh City to compete in Sao Mai. Luckily, the organizers had already covered all the expenses so I didn't have to spend much. I decided to take each round as it came because I didn't think I would win First Prize in the Chamber Music category.

When I received the award, I received flowers from the organizers, fans and answered media interviews. Afterwards, everyone invited each other to eat because everyone had friends and relatives to cheer for me. Standing alone on stage, I felt sad and burst into tears. At that time, I was like a lonely star...", the female artist confided.

Phuong Nga said that because the contest was broadcast live, her parents knew that their daughter had won first prize. The next day, when she returned to Hanoi, she saw her mother "lost her voice" after answering the media and press about her daughter.

"My mother is strict on the outside, but she is a gentle and warm person. She works hard, saves money, and is frugal to provide the family with a comfortable and prosperous life. I have a life without worries or calculations because my mother supports me a lot. I often tease my mother that she is... the tycoon of the whole family," Phuong Nga said.

Phuong Nga once entered Sao Mai contest with 2 million VND in her pocket (Photo: Character provided).

The Hanoi-born singer admitted that music has given her fame, confidence and a stable life. "Although I am not rich, I can make a living from this profession. I feel lucky because I can work for my passion...", she said.

When asked: "People say Phuong Nga is a very "mild-tempered" person, so do you ever get angry, especially when your children are naughty?"

The female artist said: "If I were to teach, I would never yell at my students, but with my own child, even if I tell him to say "yes, sir" 10 times and leave it there, I still have to hold up the hanger and yell softly for him to listen."

Phuong Nga has two daughters, the eldest is 21 years old and studying at the Academy of Traditional Medicine, the second is 11 years old. She feels lucky because her children always study hard and are filial to the elderly.

Her daughter is grown up but the female artist does not forbid her from falling in love: "I often tell my daughter that she should have student love, like I had a crush on her in 11th grade. But we only liked each other for a year.

I told my child, when in love, two people must become friends and progress together, not affect their studies, not do things that are too far away, and keep their feelings pure, then I support them," Phuong Nga confided.

Phuong Nga also admits that she is a deep, calm person who always thinks positively. "In my free time, I often listen to music and audio books such as: How to Win Friends and Influence People, Journey to the East ... that guide people towards goodness. I haven't cried for a long time because I admit that I am a strong, independent person...", Meritorious Artist Phuong Nga shared.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/giai-tri/nsut-phuong-nga-di-thi-sao-mai-voi-2-trieu-dong-say-nang-tu-nam-lop-11-20241220015541867.htm