Vân-Ánh Võ is a prodigious performer, composer, and Artistic Director who has garnered numerous accolades for her virtuosic mastery of the 16-string đàn tranh (zither) and her visionary approach to fusing traditional Vietnamese music with contemporary forms. Apart from her proficiency in playing the đàn tranh, she also uses the monochord (đàn bầu); bamboo xylophone (đàn t’rung); traditional drums (trống); and many other instruments to create music that combines Vietnamese instruments with other genres, and fuses deeply grounded Vietnamese musical traditions with fresh new structures and compositions.
The Emmy Award-winning artist has collaborated with luminaries such as the Kronos Quartet, Alonzo King LINES Ballet, and Yo-Yo Ma, to name but a few, to create a rich tapestry of sound that traverses musical boundaries and cultural landscapes.
Raised in a family of musicians, Vân-Ánh commenced her studies of the đàn tranh at the tender age of four, subsequently obtaining distinction from the prestigious Vietnamese Academy of Music where she later served as a professor. Vân-Ánh’s exceptional talent and profound musicality was evident from a young age, as she claimed top honors in the Vietnam National Đàn Tranh Competition in 1995, clinching the championship title and the first prize for best solo performance of modern folk music. In addition to being an ensemble member of Vietnam National Music Theater and founding and directing the Đồng Nội Ensemble, Vân-Ánh has enchanted audiences across the globe, performing in over fourteen countries and featuring in many radio and television programs in and outside of her homeland.
Since settling in San Francisco’s Bay Area in 2001, Vân-Ánh has expanded her creative horizons, collaborating with artists from diverse genres and cultures to forge new works that introduce Vietnamese traditional music to broader audiences. Her music has graced some of the world’s most esteemed venues and events, including Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, and the UK WOMAD world music Festival. Vân-Ánh’s artistic vision has led her to compose, collaborate, and perform alongside illustrious musicians such as the Kronos Quartet, Yo-Yo Ma, Southwest Chamber Music, Oakland Symphony, and Flyaway Productions. She has also played a pivotal role in creating the soundtracks for several critically acclaimed documentaries, including the Oscar-nominated and Sundance Grand Jury Prize winner, Daughter from Danang (2002), the Emmy Award-winning Bolinao 52 (2008), and A Village Called Versailles (2009), which scooped “Best Documentary” and “Audience Favorite” honors.
Vân-Ánh’s theatrical production with the Kronos Quartet, “All Clear,” showcased her remarkable artistry and opened the door for her to premiere her multimedia production, “Odyssey,” as Artistic Director, composer, and performer at the Kennedy Center in 2016. Her latest work, “Songs of Strength,” which premiered at Cal Performances, UC Berkeley in March 2021, showcases her continued commitment to exploring new avenues of artistic expression while honoring her Vietnamese heritage. In addition, the first installment of her Mekong trilogy production, “Mekong: SOUL,” commissioned by the Kennedy Center in 2021, further attests to her creative prowess and visionary outlook.
Vân-Ánh’s productions have a unique community component, where she conducts workshops and engages participants in topics that have inspired her works. Her outstanding contributions to the arts and community have garnered her the Artist Laureate Award under President Obama’s administration, with Vân-Ánh becoming the first Vietnamese artist to perform at the White House. She has also received numerous project awards and support from esteemed institutions such as the Creative Work Fund, Center for Cultural Innovations, and the Chamber Music America, among others.
Discography:
Twelve Months, Four Seasons (2002)
She’s Not She (2010)
Three-Mountain Pass (Innova Recordings, 2013)
With Kronos Quartet
My Lai (Smithsonian Folkways, 2022)
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.