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THURSDAY, MARCH 5 (NEW YORK, NY) - Last night, the Lang Lang International Music Foundation hosted its bi-annual gala in New York City, celebrating the foundation’s mission to inspire and cultivate the next generation of musicians through innovative programs and exceptional educational opportunities.
The gala featured performances by world-renowned pianist, Lang Lang, Taiwanese-Australian violinist Ray Chen, jazz & pop vocalist Antonia Bennett, and singer-songwriter aron!. The gala also featured performances by students from PS 214K Michael Friedsam School, who are part of the foundation’s Keys of Inspirationprogram, and seven students from around the world who are part of the foundation’s prestigious Young Scholars program: Seokyoung Hong, Ryan Huang, Anna Kesselman, Alexander Liu, Ryan Wang, Taige Wang, and Sencheng Zhang.
Throughout the evening, leaders in music were recognized for their groundbreaking contributions to music education. The Lang Lang International Music Foundation® Philanthropy Award was presented to Steinway & Sons in recognition of its leadership and commitment to expanding access to high-quality music education worldwide. The foundation’s Teacher of the Year, Jung Eun Hong of New York City Public Schools, was also honored for her dedication to nurturing musical growth, creativity, and resilience in her students.
Founded in 2008, the Lang Lang International Music Foundation operates under the core belief that music education is absolutely essential for early childhood education and should be easily accessible to all students, regardless of their background or socioeconomic status. Through its programs, the foundation continues to empower young musicians to reach their full potential and inspire a lifelong love of music.
The foundation’s Keys of Inspiration (KOI) program empowers students in underserved communities by expanding access to arts education in public schools across the world. Beginning in 2013, the program has grown to serve over 70,000 students every year in the United States, across major cities including New York, Chicago, Boston, Los Angeles, Miami, and more. The program also reaches over 250,000 students worldwide every year, with over 200 schools in the US, Europe, and China.
Another one of the foundation’s main programs, Young Scholars, is a three-year initiative designed to empower talented young pianists ages 13–18. Each year, approximately 20 pianists from across the globe participate in the program, where they engage in immersive international exchanges and week-long lessons at renowned institutions offering tailored opportunities that foster musical excellence and cross-cultural collaboration.
The Lang Lang International Music Foundation’s Music Heals program is dedicated to supporting children facing significant challenges by harnessing the transformative power of music. Whether a child is navigating physical illness, coping with mental health struggles, or dealing with the loss of a loved one, Music Heals provides comfort, inspiration, and a safe space for creative expression.
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Photo Credit: Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images for Lang Lang International Music Foundation
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