nhi
huynh
Dedicated to community engagement, Dr. Huynh founded the Ear to H(ear)t Hospital Outreach Project during the COVID-19 pandemic, bringing live music to cancer patients and staff at Stony Brook University Hospital & Cancer Center. She also launched the Salon Concert Series at Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site, curating intimate performances on a historic 1880 Steinway grand piano.
Dr. Huynh’s musical journey began in Vietnam, where she made her orchestral debut at thirteen with the Ho Chi Minh City Conservatory Symphony Orchestra. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Music and Biology from Eastern Nazarene College before moving on to complete her Master of Music degree at the University of Denver with Steven Mayer. She later earned her Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Piano Performance from SUNY Stony Brook, studying with the renowned Gilbert Kalish, and was awarded the Ackerman Prize for Excellence in Graduate Studies (Performance).
When not teaching or performing, she enjoys exploring new cafés with her husband and their 1-year-old daughter.
ABOUT ME!
Dr. Nhi Huynh is a pianist and educator celebrated for her vibrant performances and commitment to contemporary music. Known for premiering works by over 50 living composers, she has been a featured performer with the Contemporary Chamber Players at Stony Brook University, interpreting works like Xenakis’ Palimpsest and Berio’s Linea, along with numerous world premieres. A career highlight was her performance of Sheila Silver’s Piano Concerto with the Stony Brook Symphony Orchestra following her win at the 2020 Stony Brook University Concerto Competition; Silver described her as a “powerhouse,” calling the performance “phenomenal.”
As an educator, Dr. Huynh is currently on the piano faculty at Lafayette College. She previously served as Director of Music at the Royal International Bilingual School in Vietnam, where she led curriculum design and performance activities for 3,000 students, blending classical traditions with contemporary and culturally relevant music. She has also taught undergraduate students at Bard Conservatory of Music, Stony Brook University, and the University of Denver. At Bard, she was an active collaborative pianist, particularly with the Graduate Vocal Arts Program, working closely with faculty and students in a variety of contemporary and classical repertoire. In 2020, she was honored with the Suffolk Piano Teachers Foundation Award.
