VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnamese music student Tran Tuan An was awarded first prize at the Society of American Musicians (SAM) Guitar Competition on Sunday.

Guitarist Tran Tuan An.

An, who studies liberal arts at North Park University in Chicago, overcame competition from all over the US to take the prize.

A former student of the Ha Noi Academy of Music, An won first prize in the Viet Nam Music Young Talent competition in 2004 when he was just 12 years old.

Two years later, An was offered scholarships to study at the Sydney Music Academy and in the US, and he decided on North Park University.

In 2010, the 21 year old was selected as one of the country’s Best Overseas Students and received the Certificate of Merit granted by Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan.

An earlier also won a music contest hosted by his university last month.

SAM was founded in 1914 with the intent of promoting the best interests of music in the US. The society offers assistance and encouragement to young musicians and promising artists through its annual competition as well as performance opportunities.

Besides the guitar competition, the SAM also hosts competitions every spring for a wide range of other instruments, including cello, flute, piano, viola and violin.

Source: VNS