Vietnamese Drums Meet Jazz at Lincoln Center: A Rare Performance by Dwight School Hanoi Students in New York City

"This is more than just a performance, it’s about representation,” said Emily Bell, a music teacher at Dwight School Hanoi who accompanied the students throughout their journey and directed the Hanoi contributions to the music festival. “Beyond learning to play this traditional instrument, our students are becoming cultural ambassadors, sharing the richness of Vietnamese heritage worldwide. This journey reflects our school’s commitment to nurture each student's unique interests, ignite their spark of genius through music, and create lifelong friendships from around the world.”

Collaboration That Made It Possible

Behind this moment was a wonderful collaboration between local Vietnamese music teachers and international educators. Their shared vision and dedication ensured that students not only mastered the technical skill required for this performance but also understood the cultural weight of their artistry. This collaboration reflects Dwight School Hanoi’s commitment to Community, uniting local artists, teachers, and students to create meaningful experiences.

“With just a few days to build the curriculum and choreograph the teaching content, the staff  worked together to streamline our focus, ensuring that every aspect we, as a team, conveyed to students brought value to the performance,” said La Tuan Cuong, the performance’s Music Advisor. “Despite this condensed timeline, the students quickly mastered the knowledge and music theory in rehearsals, thanks to the dedicated support of Ms. Bell, and they performed excellently.”

The seamless blend of Vietnamese and international mentorship was pivotal in preparing students for this momentous occasion. Drawing upon the insights from both cultural perspectives, the students honed their craft with discipline and passion, fully aware they were about to make an impressive performance.

A Memorable Experience

For the students, the performance was more than just an opportunity to showcase their skills. This deeply personal and transformative experience embodied Dwight School Hanoi’s pillar of Global Vision by inviting students to build bridges within and between cultures. 

“At first, seeing the performances before mine, I felt a little hesitant. They were all so impressive!” said Quynh Nhu, a student in grade 10 at Dwight School Hanoi. “But as we performed, I became more comfortable on stage and felt truly proud of our performance. For me, the performance was a deeply bonding experience, both culturally and musically. Because everyone on stage was Vietnamese or a musician, we connected easily and shared a wonderful moment. Every moment of this journey is a special memory.”

Seung Yoo, an international student in grade 7 at Dwight School Hanoi who participated in the Vietnamese drum performance, also reflected on the experience, saying, "I felt really nervous because these weren’t the drums I was used to, but I enjoyed learning something new. I’ve played drums before where you use both your hands and feet a lot, but with Vietnamese drums, it’s more about learning the patterns. I think Vietnamese culture is really cool because, unlike other countries where drums are just plain, Vietnamese drums have unique patterns and colors on top. One of my favorite memories was when our drum teacher taught us in Vietnamese. The other drummers and the assistant teacher helped translate for me, which made it a great experience."

A Cultural Bridge Built Through Music

This landmark event not only put Vietnamese drums in the spotlight but also reinforced Dwight School Hanoi’s commitment to fostering creativity, innovation, and cultural appreciation. By blending traditional Vietnamese elements into a western setting, the performance underscored the school’s mission of nurturing global citizens who celebrate diversity through artistic expression.

“At Dwight, our strength is our community. We’re lucky to be part of the Dwight network of schools and especially grateful to Dwight New York for putting together this year’s annual Dwight Schools Global Concert—an incredible opportunity for our students to perform on a global stage. This year was even more special, marking 25 years of this cross-campus musical collaboration. A quarter-century of bringing students together through music? That’s something worth celebrating.” said Brantley Turner, Head of School at Dwight School Hanoi. "This performance is a testament to what’s possible when we come together across cultures, share our sparks of genius, and learn from one another. Watching our students take the stage with such confidence and joy is a reminder of why we do what we do. It reinforces our commitment to Personalized Learning, Global Vision, and Community—not as abstract ideas, but as real experiences that shape our students’ journeys. We’re proud to support them as they discover and develop their futures."

Dea Nunnally, Director of Student Life at Dwight School Hanoi and co-leader of the trip, also reflected on the significance of the experience: “This performance embodies the essence of the Dwight community, bringing together students, teachers, and cultures to create something truly unique. Having been part of Dwight for years, I’ve seen how our students grow when given opportunities like this. Watching them take the stage at Jazz at Lincoln Center, with confidence and pride, is a reminder of why we do what we do, empowering them to share their voices with the world.”

As the final drumbeats echoed through Jazz at Lincoln Center, the audience responded with thunderous applause. More than just a performance, this moment showcased the power of education, collaboration, and the unifying force of music. This is just the beginning. Dwight School Hanoi students are showing the world that traditions are meant to be shared, celebrated, and reimagined for the future. Through this experience, the school community is igniting the spark of genius in every child.