On the stage of the Preliminary Round of D-Show 25 at Dewey Tay Ho Tay, one performance left a lasting impression on the judges – not because of its smooth execution or perfection, but for a different reason. What made this performance truly special was that despite making mistakes, Thanh Mai (10Edmonton) remained determined and persevered to complete her piano piece. “The piece I chose was quite challenging, and I was aware that I had made multiple mistakes. But I didn’t want to give up – I wanted to conquer this challenge and overcome my own fears,” Thanh Mai recalled.
When people think of Thanh Mai, they often picture the quintessential high-achieving student with an impressive academic record. Having competed in numerous national and international competitions, she was no stranger to the stage. However, this was the first time she had made a significant mistake during a performance. Though momentarily shaken, the young pianist quickly regained her composure and resolved to finish her piece – for one simple reason: giving up was never an option for Mai.
“Thanh Mai is not only a talented student but also someone with remarkable determination and a deep passion for music. Compared to the Thanh Mai of D-Show 23, you have made significant progress and matured tremendously this year. You once shared with me your fear of performing on stage, but this time, I could see that you had truly taken control and overcome your fears. Your ability to handle the stage with such poise and finesse allowed the audience to overlook minor mistakes and fully enjoy your performance.” These were the words of Ms. Dieu Anh, a judge at the preliminary round of D-Show 25 at Dewey Tay Ho Tay, as she expressed her admiration for Thanh Mai’s growth.
It was through her unwavering determination to conquer her fears that Thanh Mai earned her place in the Final Round. Reflecting on her journey, she shared: “I wanted to participate in D-Show 25 so I could face and overcome my stage fright. The reason I chose a difficult piece was that I had never been able to perform it flawlessly on stage before. I once played it at a small event, but I made mistakes and couldn’t complete the piece. At D-Show 25, for me, the most important thing wasn’t winning an award – it was conquering a challenge that I had always thought was beyond my reach.”
After making mistakes in the preliminary round, Thanh Mai found herself feeling more confident. She learned how to navigate the stage, manage her mindset during performances, and refine her practice methods to improve memory retention.
With the campus final round approaching, The Dewey Schools believe that with her resilience and determination, Mai will successfully achieve the goal she has set for herself. True to the theme “The Future Me,” every effort at D-Show 25 is a stepping stone—not only for Thanh Mai but for the entire TDS community—to become the best version of themselves in the future.
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[D-Show 25] The Dewey Schools Tay Ho Tay Final Round
- Location: Theater, 4th Floor, Building A, The Dewey Schools Tay Ho Tay
- Date: Sunday, February 16, 2025
- Schedule: Elementary School: 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM | Middle School: 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
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Stay updated on all things D-Show 25 here: https://bit.ly/D-show.
