Van-Anh Nguyen: Redefining the Classical Career
- Mar 20
- 4 min read
Updated: Mar 31
Last Saturday, 14 March 2026, we were joined by the acclaimed pianist, producer, and composer Van-Anh Nguyen, who led a lecture concert on redefining a classical career. Her story—from a rigorous classical upbringing to an international career bridging the gap between the concert hall and pop charts—held eager audiences captive. It was such a masterclass in modern musicality which audience members described as insightful and inspiring.
Van-Anh opened the afternoon with her piano arrangement of Hans Zimmer’s Interstellar theme, before diving into the details of her musical journey.
You've got to have joy — spark joy — and remind yourself why you're learning the piano, what it's for. Exams are just a tick on a piece of paper, but it has to spark joy. [We have to] change the way we think, change the way we approach practice and why you're playing the piano. I think that's so important. –Van-Anh Nguyen
How it Began: Nurturing Creativity
With both parents working as music teachers, Van-Anh’s relationship with the piano began at the tender age of 13 months. She gave her Sydney Opera House debut at age eight, and by age 12, she became one of the youngest to receive her Licentiate Diploma. However, her journey wasn't without its turning points. While preparing for her Grade 10 AMEB exams, she realised that while she could execute complex classical repertoire, she felt limited by a lack of knowledge in improvisation. She sought out jazz training to bridge this gap.
This pivot, along with her creative explorations and leaning into what gave her joy, laid the foundation for her multifaceted career. This opened the door to the world of classical crossover and changed how she approached the business of music. Today, Van-Anh is renowned for her innovative classical crossover mashups, where her ability to weave together the genres of classical and pop has become her signature.
To showcase her creative process and style, Van-Anh performed two brilliant mashups during the afternoon. The first was a demonstration that combined Bach and Billie Eilish: she wove the vocal melody of Billie Eilish’s Birds of a Feather effortlessly over the iconic arpeggios of J.S. Bach’s Prelude No. 1 in C Major, BWV 846. Following the demonstration, she encouraged the audience to pursue their own musical journeys with that same sense of creativity and joy.
Collaborations and Promotions
Van-Anh offered valuable insights into the modern music landscape, highlighting the importance of recording and releasing music, social media marketing, networking, and ultimately, pursuing what sparks joy. While she described a love-hate dynamic with social media, she acknowledged the platforms' crucial role in brand-building.
To illustrate the importance of self-promotion, she aptly referenced George Berkeley’s famous philosophical question:
"If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?" – George Berkeley
For Van-Anh, growing an online presence also creates professional opportunities. She shared how a simple message to the global sensations TwoSet Violin eventually led to her performing with the duo on their world tour. Her message to musicians was clear: reach out, network and collaborate; a musician, no matter how skilful, may remain unrecognised if they don't share their work with the world.
Record Labels and Releasing Music Independently
Van-Anh noted that the era when producers scouted talent by visiting different venues is over. In its place, the industry has shifted toward an era where the tools to self-release are more accessible than ever. She reflected on how much has changed since her family first organised concerts and produced physical records to sell in the foyer.
In addition to using inexpensive solutions like Humanitix for ticketing and Canva for design, she recommended that independent musicians utilise platforms like the Australian company GYRO (Get Your Record Out) to distribute music to global streaming services. It is as simple as an upload. "It's really so simple, you have no excuse not to," Van-Anh remarked.
In 2018, after years of building a solid independent career, Van-Anh signed with Universal Music. Since then, she has released several albums under the prestigious Decca label and, more recently, Deutsche Grammophon.
For most musicians, however, she explained that self-releasing is the most easily accessible choice. While prestigious record labels like Decca and Deutsche Grammophon (both part of the Universal Music Group) can certainly enhance exposure, they might not be essential. It is now possible to chart your own path: organising your own concerts and independently releasing your music.
The Mashup that Got Her Signed
Following a Q&A session, she closed the afternoon with the very arrangement that caught the attention of Universal Music and got her signed: a high-energy fusion of S. Rachmaninoff’s Moments Musicaux, Op. 16 No. 4 and the R&B classic Survivor by Destiny’s Child. What a resounding close:
Traditional Path Vs. Forging Your Own Path
Van-Anh's success stems from acknowledging and exploring the complementary relationship between formal training and creative exploration. In today's landscape, discovery, innovation, and creative exploration are more important than ever—and they are essential skills that classical musicians of the future should not overlook.
We are incredibly grateful to Van-Anh for her time and insight and we are looking forward to hosting more events like this in the future! Here are some parting words from Van-Anh:
Event Partners
MASTER MUSIC STUDIO Venue Sponsor
Piano Sponsor
Provided the Steinway & Sons piano to the venue
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