OhioMTA SouthWest Member Spotlight: Le Binh Anh Nguyen

Getting to Know Le Binh Anh Nguyen: OhioMTA 2024 Teacher Scholarship Winner

When did you decide to be a teacher?

"My mother was a music teacher, and when I was 16, I began teaching some of her students. Many of them had ADHD, which required a lot of patience. This early experience was invaluable training for me. Later, when I went to Singapore for college, I continued teaching private students. My teaching skills grew further through assistantships at Indiana University and the University of Cincinnati, where I taught music theory and piano. These opportunities helped me become more adept at leading group classes, and I developed a deep passion for teaching pop piano."

Congratulations on receiving the Teacher Scholarship Grant from MTNA. How did you hear about winning it, and what was your reaction?

"I was thrilled to receive the news! I have many research and presentation projects planned for this year, and this award feels like a confirmation that I’m on the right path. It motivates me to continue working hard and pursue my goals with even more dedication."

What advice do you have for someone thinking about becoming a music teacher?

"Becoming a music teacher is an incredibly fulfilling profession. My advice is to always continue performing and working on your own playing. Teaching can take up a lot of your time, but we are, at our core, practitioners and creators of art. If we stop practicing and performing, the essence of what we teach may drift away from what truly matters in becoming a great musician."

What is one luxury that is absolutely worth the money?

"Traveling. Although I’m quite an introvert, I’ve come to appreciate the value of travel. Growing up, I was fortunate to accompany my parents on their work trips and travel for performances after winning competitions. Later, studying abroad in Singapore and the U.S. allowed me to explore different cultures and meet a variety of people. These experiences have deepened my understanding of art and made me a better communicator, no matter where I go."

Best time of day for you to practice?

"When I was younger, I preferred practicing between 6-11 pm because my days were occupied with school. However, I’ve noticed that I’m much more productive when I practice in the morning, before teaching or dealing with emails. So, 9-11 am has become my new favorite time to practice."

Le Binh Anh Nguyen is the Head Secondary Piano Graduate Assistant at the University of Cincinnati. His scholarly activities include publications and presentations on topics of music technology, generative AI, sight-reading, K-Pop, and Vietnamese music.

Congratulations to Le Binh Anh Nguyen!