Unity Nguyen [p.4]

NHA: You recently put out a CD “Growing with Music.” What kind of music were you exposed to as a child? Can you talk about the diversity of the music on the CD, ranging from traditional Chinese music to traditional Mexican and Vietnamese music?

UN: Yes, “Growing with Music” is an outstanding collection for preschoolers. It’s one of those CDs that your toddler asks for five times in a row, until you go crazy; but meanwhile the child is absorbing it deeply! The CD arose from a four-year project of weekly music classes for low-income preschoolers and parents to do music together as a family. The people involved with the project included myself, two other preschool music specialists, and a team of early childhood development specialists. The children and families we worked with were mostly Cantonese- and Spanish-speaking so the music was astoundingly effective in a number of ways: to develop language and communication skills, to improve physical movement skills and comprehension skills, to enhance the children’s ability to work in a group setting and relate with a teacher or other adults, and of course to develop music skills and a sense of confidence and joy with making music. For the families it was also very profound. One normally doesn’t find Chinese families hanging out with Mexican or black families. In this program of music, people felt very comfortable with each other and came together through music. Music is a very powerful medium for exchange and for development to happen. You can get the CD on my website for your toddler or a friend’s baby!

NHA: Do you think that music and other genres of expression can complement each other?

UN: I think that it’s natural. My music feeds off of spoken word and dancing. A lot of things move the music and vice versa.

NHA: Do you have any personal connections between the music you play and the healing arts that you practice?

UN: For me, there is a really strong connection between music and the acupuncture medicine that I practice. For example, the energy involved when I handle needles, or do hands-on work is very much the same energy in playing musical instruments, particularly the ñaøn tranh. The life force and healing energy, like the energy you cultivate in tai chi or meditation, is also applied to dealing with the flow of energy among people on a stage or in an audience. Both require being very present and open and having positive intentions. I really do have to check my internal space when I go into both playing music and treating clients. It makes me practice a healthy mindset, so it keeps me well. I can only share with my clients as much wellness as I have myself. My concept of health and medicine includes nurturing the music passion that energizes me, building organic gardens and planting fruit trees, nurturing deep relationships with good friends, building community, raising the children of the community, all those levels that we require for healthy existence.

NHA: Who are your main clients in healing arts?

UN: I have all different clients, people I’ve connected with through different communities—artists and activist friends, parents of my students, people I meet through community projects or performances. Acupuncture is such a pleasure, just like playing the Dan Tranh. And I think medical school will be a thrill in some ways.

NHA: You are also involved with several community groups such as Co VN, Hung Viet and Catalyst Viet Nam, among others. Can you tell us more about that?

UN: My first group is Hong Viet. Hung Viet has been providing Vietnamese language school and other youth services for many years. The people who keep the program running are beautiful and dedicated souls who work hard just for the kids. When I can, I come in and do music with the kids, and I help on the Board of Directors.

Co VN makes small business loans to women in Viet Nam. Experience has proved that business loans to women are one of the most effective ways to strengthen an economy and increase the standard of living. Catalyst Viet Nam works with orphans in Viet Nam. Most recently, I have been involved with a group called Viet BAK (Bay Area Katrina) Relief. Viet BAK Relief is a group of volunteers who fundraise and take that money back to the area affected by Hurricane Katrina. The situation is still bad down there. One really cool thing that the Viet BAK teams did in the rebuilding efforts was helping to form alliances between some Vietnamese churches and temples and some African American churches. When communities are divided they have no political voice to get assistance through the System, and they even fight each other for the limited resources to rebuild, but when they come together they have much more voice and can get what they need.

NHA: Have you ever been back to Viet Nam or considered working in Viet Nam in the future?

UN: I’ve only been back once, 11 years ago. I remember my first trip back to Viet Nam was emotionally challenging but I still want to go back. The Catalyst Viet Nam Foundation has a camp in Viet Nam every summer that works with orphans and I would love to help with one of those camps sometime. I would also love to study the medicinal herbs that are unique to Viet Nam as well as hook up with the musicians there and see what’s happening.

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