Since 1993, musician Huynh Khai has worked at the traditional musical faculty of the Ho Chi Minh City Conservatory of Music. In 2003, he was highly appreciated by his Doctoral thesis entitled “Teaching method of Dan kim in tai tu music, Cai luong stage and new creations for dan kim” which was evaluated as excellent.His research is considered a handbook for those who study Dan kim in amateur singing, Cai luong stage and playing new pieces of music.
 Musician Huynh Khai performs on a Dan kim. Photo: File Musician Huynh Khai performs Don ca tai tu in southern Vietnam. Photo: Nguyen Luan |
At present, working as head of the traditional musical faculty, Huynh Khai and his colleagues have built a curriculum towards preserving and promoting the traditional music. Students are trained basically in terms of techniques in using traditional musical instruments in both traditional and western methods.
Under the enthusiastic instruction of Huynh Khai, many of his students have won prizes at music contests both domestically and internationally and becomes well-known, like Hua Hoang Kha (head of Tran Huu Trang Cai Luong Troupe), Phan Thanh Long (the lecturer at the Ho Chi Minh City Universityof Theatre and Cinema. Talking about his teacher, Hua Hoang Kha said, “Huynh Khai has wholeheartedly devoted himself to the traditional music. I have studied Dan Kim and performed in concert with Huynh Khai for years. Besides professional skills, he has given me valuable experience”.
Despite a busy schedule at the university, Huynh Khai, in his spare time, composes pieces of music for Cai luong and Dan ca tai tu which has won the hearts of thousands of people. His creations include “Nguoc dong (2005), An tinh non nuoc (2008), Ngon don ghi ta Huynh Khai (2007) and tai tu music concert (2007).
Story: Son Nghia – Photos: Nguyen Luan & File
