Bic Hoang

Biography

Bic Hoang (pronounced: bic wong) is a virtuoso multi-instrumentalist of Vietnamese instruments. She specializes on the Dan Bau (one string monochord, zither), T’rung (bamboo xylophone), K’longput (percussion tubles), and Koni (two string violin). As a solo artist and with her ensemble, the Khac Chi Bamboo Music, she has performed in 25 countries.

Bic performs and records with world-class ensembles include Latvian National Symphony Orchestra (Latvia), Prague Modern Ensemble (Czech Republic), National Traditional Orchestra of Vietnam (Vietnam), World Traditional Instrument Orchestra (Philippines), Little Giant Chinese Music Orchestra (Taiwan), Vancouver Inter-Cultural Orchestra, Orchid Ensemble, Silk Road Music (Canada),…

Bic began her musical career with Dan bau at age 8, then a long with the Dan bau, she studied Tam thập lục (Vietnamese dulcimer), T’rung, Klong put and Koni. After 14 years of studying, she graduated with honors as one of the top students and holds a Bachelor of Music and Performing Arts from Vietnam National Academy of Music. Then Bic became an instructor; she taught dan bau and Vietnamese music at Hanoi College of Fine Arts (1987-1992).

Came to Canada in 1992, Bic taught Vietnamese music and instruments at University of British Columbia (1996-1999). She is the founder of VietCa Music Center (2010 – present) and is teaching the dan bau and Vietnamese music at VSO School of music. In the last 25 years, Bic has performed for over 1000 schools and colleges, universities, communities, festivals,…

Bic’s compositions and arranged music have performed in Canada and aboard such as Asian European New Music Festival in Vietnam, WOMAD Festivals in UK and USA, Kaustinen Folk Music Festival in Finland; SFINKS Festival in Belgium, Mela Festival in Norway, World-Ethnic Music Festival in Czech Republic; Festival d’ete, Montreal International Jazz Festival, International Vancouver Folk Music Festival in Canada,…
Bic often improvises when perform with jazz, multi- media, electronic and world musicians.

Awards:
– First Prize for dan bau in Vietnam Competition of Professional Instrumentalists in 1988
– Golden Award at International Folk Festival of World Youth 13th in North Korea in 1989
– Bic also credited with being the first woman to perform on the Koni.

Bic’s passions are sharing her knowledge with others and she loves bring music to the world; Bic has been doing this professionally for over 30 years.

Roles

• Composer
• Soloist