On 28 August the Trinh Cong Son Music Scholarship was inaugurated with special guest RedOne – the successful Swedish songwriter, musician and producer, marking the beginning of a collaborative effort to fight autism with music – a first in Vietnam.
This scholarship is set up by Trinh Cong Son Foundation in collaboration with Soul Music & Performing Arts Academy in Ho Chi Minh City, and will sponsor talented students from disadvantaged families to attend music educational programs. But it is also designed to help children with autism in language development, social skills, self-determination and confidence.
The multiple Grammy-winning RedOne, who is one of the world’s most successful producers joined this collaborative effort, coming Vietnam for the first time to assist in raising awareness of autism and the role of music in treating the condition. He has worked with chart-topping artists such as Lady Gaga, Nicki Minaj, Jennifer Lopez, One Direction and many more.
In addition to his music successes, RedOne is also focused on his 2101 Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to helping youth with big dreams and inspire and motivate young people to purse their passion in life through music, arts and education.
World wide, music has been tested and proven to be an effective tool to treat autism. And music therapy is shown to be an effective intervention for emotional recognition deficits in autism. It leads to improvement in communication/language and socio-behavioral skills.
Trinh Cong Son, a revered Vietnamese songwriter, poet and painter, composed more than 600 songs, many of which are truly loved by Vietnamese of all ages in Vietnam and overseas. His Japanese version has been sold in more than 2m albums over the years. His paintings are highly valued by art critics and well sought after by avid collectors.
Apart from providing opportunities to talented Vietnamese to develop and pursue a career in music, Trinh Cong Son Music Scholarship (TCSMS)– set up by Trinh Cong Son Foundation in conjunction with Soul Music & Performing Arts Academy (SMPAA) – is also designed to help children with autism in language development, social skills, self-determination and confidence.
With first class facilities and of international standards, SOUL Music & Performing Arts Academy is committed to educating talented musicians and performing artists, assisting them to achieve their highest potential and in the process, becoming future leaders, role models in their respective fields. SMPAA’s mission is to bring a well-rounded music/performing arts education to every Vietnamese child to develop a more open-minded and connected Next Generation.
