I was born in Ho Chi Minh City and pursued art studies in Vietnam and the United Kingdom. Before 2014, I travelled around the globe for my international practice, art residence and exhibitions. I settled in New Zealand in 2014 and began my dance movement journey in Down Under.
 

I enjoy the process of making art and the psychological impacts that lie underneath. Both majors in psychology and art enrich my knowledge, thus empowering the works I am developing as a dance/movement therapist and a performance artist. I work with individuals who need art and body movement, particularly with women and children.

 

I am a professional member of the Dance Movement Therapy Association of Australasia. I offer personal therapy for DMT students in Aotearoa and overseas. Occasionally, I am a guest lecturer for the Master of Dance Movement Therapy program at the Dance Studies at the University of Auckland. I also tutor Developmental and Applied Psychology at the School of Psychology. 

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Award

2025     

Kate Edger Foundation - First Year Doctoral Award,
by The Kate Edger Foundation (KEF), The University of Auckland

2022     

Young Leadership Award,
by the Dance Movement Therapy Association of Australasia (DTAA)

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Grants

2010     

Artist in Residency (mixed media art)
Vermont Studio Center, USA

2008             

“CDEF Talent Prize” in Performance art
Embassy of Denmark, Hanoi, Viet Nam

2001                            

Researching Jewelry Design, 
World Gold Council in Viet Nam

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Education

2024 - Ongoing   

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Psychology 

Project title: Embodied Identity – Making a connection between Dementia Prevention and Dance Movement Therapy in Aotearoa, New Zealand

The University of Auckland, New Zealand

2022 - 2024    

Master of Science with First Class Honours

Specialised in Psychology - Research

Thesis title: "Where Do The Two Oceans meet?"

Social Identity and Vietnamese Diaspora in New Zealand

The University of Auckland, New Zealand

2021        

Postgraduate Diploma in Science with Distinction

Specialised in Psychology

The University of Auckland, New Zealand

2019         

Graduate Diploma in Science (Psychology)

The University of Auckland, New Zealand

2007                            

Master of Art in Fine Arts

Specialised in Installation and Performance

University for the Creative Arts (UCA), Canterbury, Kent, United Kingdom.

2003                            

Bachelor of Art in Fine Arts

Specialised in Graphic Design
Hong Bang International University, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam.

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Professional Development Courses 

2021         

The BodyMind Approach® on patients with medically unexplained symptoms with Professor Helen Payne, University of Hertfordshire, UK

2019         

Restorative Movement Psychotherapy (RMP) for Survivors of Trauma, using Polyvagal Theory with Dr Amber Gray, Founder and Executive Director of the Kint Institute, USA

2017         

Embodying the Embryological Foundation of Movement with Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen, Founder of the Body-Mind Centering® (BMC), The School of Body-Mind Centering®, USA

2017         

Authentic Movement and Physical Storytelling with Connor Kelly, Board Certified Dance Movement Therapist, USA & New Zealand

2017         

The NIA Technique (White belt) with Debbie Rosas, CEO of The Nia Technique, USA

2017         

Diploma/Certificate in Dance Movement Therapy, Advanced Clinical Practicum
Dance Therapy New Zealand, New Zealand

2017      

Certificate Diploma in Early Childhood and Adult Education, 
Playcentre Education, New Zealand

2002            

Graphic Design and Creative courses with International artist Jun Nguyen-Hatsushiba, Founder of Digital Portfolio Interchange Center, HCMC, Viet Nam.