Annie Nguyen: Shaking Up Yale’s Music Scene, Journey from Fall Break Inspiration to Spring Fling Headliner

"It's a privilege to think about your mental health." This lesson is something Annie Nguyen, a senior at Yale University, took with her from her upbringing in Stockton, California, and a powerful takeaway from our recording of Episode 3 of the Off The Leash Podcast.

Annie Nguyen—also known as Vna—is a DJ and cultural curator studying Economics at Yale University. Annie's spark of inspiration to begin DJ'ing quickly turned into a passion, which in a short few months led to her earning the best gig a DJ can earn at Yale - A spot in the Spring Fling lineup (Spring Fling is Yale's annual outdoor concert, featuring live performances to celebrate the end of the academic year).

Vna isn’t just playing music—she’s introducing new sounds, new artists, and new perspectives to the Yale and New Haven communities. Her sets pull from everywhere—Korea, Puerto Rico, Brazil, and more—showcasing music that often flies under the radar. Beyond DJing, Annie is a future leader who has excelled during her time at Yale, earning herself a position at a top investment banking firm in the world.

But what makes her story even more powerful is that she’s navigating an industry where representation is scarce—especially for Vietnamese women. Despite this, she’s carving out her own space, making connections, and bringing a fresh, global sound to every set she plays. 

5:10 - Becoming a DJ

8:08 - Spring Fling Auditions

12:46 - Growing up in Stockton, CA

20:00 - Annie Discusses Losing Her Mother at a Young Age

25:37 - Where does VNA come from? Annie's Relationship with Vietnamese Culture

28:00 - Preparing A Set / What Do DJ's Actually Do?

35:57 - Mindset / Mental Health

44:17 - Rapid Fire Questions

If you enjoyed Episode 3 don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe to stay up to date with all things OTL. Follow us on Instagram for behind-the-scenes content and the best clips from your favorite interviews.

A huge shoutout to our sponsors for sponsoring Episode 3

• Get your hands on a Cheesy Bagel Thursdays and Fridays 5-10 PM at Olmo
• Check out Skinletics to take your recovery game to the next level

Thank you for tuning in to Episode 3 of Off The Leash!