Thịnh Nguyễn

Thịnh Newton Nguyễn is an active and curious 7-year-old in the 2^nd grade at Ewa Beach Elementary School. Music has been a part of his life since day one. He grew up attending Kumu Alan Akaka's music classes, listening to his two older brothers practice both at home and at school. It wasn't long before Thịnh picked up the ukulele himself, strumming and singing right along with them.

When he isn't making music, Thịnh is an avid explorer. Every day, he visits the ocean with his dad and his dog, Einstein, to catch crabs and colorful fish for his saltwater aquarium. His love for nature extends to our family farm, where he investigates plant-eating bugs and their nesting habits, and takes full charge of caring for the exotic tropical fish.

Thịnh is also deeply involved in his community as the youngest altar boy and the youngest Vietnamese Gospel reader at Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa in Honolulu. Guided by a big heart, he wishes to become a doctor one day to help his mom, who lives with central spinal cord syndrome–a cause close to his heart, as he lovingly massages her every night before bed.

With a playful spirit, Thịnh loves giving hugs and enjoys a good game of chase. While his mischievous antics might seem like he is trying to annoy people, he does it with pure intentions. As Thịnh fondly explains, "I just want to see how they react…and now they're my friends!"