| Pianist Lang Lang brings passion, inspiration to young audience at educational event in Chicago |
huge rounds of applause from an enthusiastic and appreciative audience. Even their proud mentor Lang Lang praised,
“Look how talented they are, even better than me!”
To interact with the audience at a more intimate level, Welz Kauffman, President and CEO of Ravinia, moderated a lively Q &
A session with Lang Lang, who answered many interesting questions from the children. As part of the discussion, Lang
Lang also shared the story of how he fell in love with classical music from watching “Tom & Jerry’s The Cat Concerto”.
Afterwards, the popular pianist took everybody’s breath away with his beautiful solo performance. The event concluded with
a closing remark by Cari Hills, executive director of the Langlang International Music Foundation.
Lang Lang is more than accustomed to taking the spotlight. In fact, during a recent performance with the Chicago
Symphony Orchestra at Ravinia Festival, he performed several encores and received a standing ovation. However, over the
last ten years, Lang Lang has been donating his time towards furthering music education. Since his foundation’s inception
in 2008, Lang Lang has taken his commitment to music education to new levels by developing sustainable, impactful and
unique charitable activities.
Lang Lang said after the program at the Cultural Center, “I am still working as a concert pianist. At the same time I love to
support new talent. I learned a lot of things through the wonderful experience of working with young musicians such as
these three phenomenal talents.”
When asked why he is so passionate about this cause, he said, “This is a new way of expressing music and sharing our
life and passion in music towards a bigger audience, particularly the younger generation. We have some problems today
simply because of the educational system. We need to inspire young students. ”
Pointing to his three young scholars, Lang Lang said with a proud smile, “Actually they can do a better job than me because
they are much younger. When kids look at these young talents, they are very excited. But when they look at me they think --
this guy is old.”
Parents also play an important role in encouraging a love of music. When asked about his advice to parents, Lang Lang
used this as an opportunity for his young friends to speak their minds.
Eleven-year-old Anna Larson from Boston has quite an impressive list of achievements, including composing a collection
of 24 short preludes. Yet, she thinks classical music is really fun. Her advice for parents: “It is very important for parents to
emphasize to their children that classical music is supposed to be fun. You have to practice and work hard, but it is also a
very fun activity. ”
At age 12, Derek Wang is also an accomplished young pianist. Wang said, “I think a parent should support the ups and
downs in any career you have, especially in music. There are times when it is great and there are times when it is not so
great. Either way, parents should support their kids.”
Wang’s notion was echoed by 10-year-old Charlie Liu, who said, “Parents should support you all the way, for example, they
can help you get comfortable in front of audiences.”
Lang Lang added, “It really depends on the kids. For those who want to be professional musicians, it is a different game
plan. For those parents who just want their kids to learn an instrument, they don’t need to be so pushy, and can simply
focus on bringing the joy and keeping that passion. But if the kids really want to be musicians, then they probably have to
give up something for their dreams.”
Ever since they were selected from a large pool of applicants to become young scholars of the foundation, the three
children have been enjoying a thrilling ride with Lang Lang. They have had the opportunity to participate in exciting
collaborative works such as on the Oprah Show and at Carnegie Hall.
When talking about his experience working with Lang Lang, Mingyi Liu, the proud father of Charlie Liu, said, “Lang Lang is
not only a great performer, but a wonderful teacher. Being a Young Scholar at the foundation really motivated Charlie to work
harder. ” Young Larson added, “When I first played at a concert with Lang Lang, I was amazed at his technique. His energy
and enthusiasm really inspired me.”
Through the Foundation’s Young Scholar Program, Lang Lang personally selects and mentors talented young pianists
from around the world and creates opportunities for them to inspire other kids through live classical music performances.
Lang Lang has lent his efforts to many charitable activities, and in the process, he has inspired young people to believe that
music can make life better.
“Look how talented they are, even better than me!”
To interact with the audience at a more intimate level, Welz Kauffman, President and CEO of Ravinia, moderated a lively Q &
A session with Lang Lang, who answered many interesting questions from the children. As part of the discussion, Lang
Lang also shared the story of how he fell in love with classical music from watching “Tom & Jerry’s The Cat Concerto”.
Afterwards, the popular pianist took everybody’s breath away with his beautiful solo performance. The event concluded with
a closing remark by Cari Hills, executive director of the Langlang International Music Foundation.
Lang Lang is more than accustomed to taking the spotlight. In fact, during a recent performance with the Chicago
Symphony Orchestra at Ravinia Festival, he performed several encores and received a standing ovation. However, over the
last ten years, Lang Lang has been donating his time towards furthering music education. Since his foundation’s inception
in 2008, Lang Lang has taken his commitment to music education to new levels by developing sustainable, impactful and
unique charitable activities.
Lang Lang said after the program at the Cultural Center, “I am still working as a concert pianist. At the same time I love to
support new talent. I learned a lot of things through the wonderful experience of working with young musicians such as
these three phenomenal talents.”
When asked why he is so passionate about this cause, he said, “This is a new way of expressing music and sharing our
life and passion in music towards a bigger audience, particularly the younger generation. We have some problems today
simply because of the educational system. We need to inspire young students. ”
Pointing to his three young scholars, Lang Lang said with a proud smile, “Actually they can do a better job than me because
they are much younger. When kids look at these young talents, they are very excited. But when they look at me they think --
this guy is old.”
Parents also play an important role in encouraging a love of music. When asked about his advice to parents, Lang Lang
used this as an opportunity for his young friends to speak their minds.
Eleven-year-old Anna Larson from Boston has quite an impressive list of achievements, including composing a collection
of 24 short preludes. Yet, she thinks classical music is really fun. Her advice for parents: “It is very important for parents to
emphasize to their children that classical music is supposed to be fun. You have to practice and work hard, but it is also a
very fun activity. ”
At age 12, Derek Wang is also an accomplished young pianist. Wang said, “I think a parent should support the ups and
downs in any career you have, especially in music. There are times when it is great and there are times when it is not so
great. Either way, parents should support their kids.”
Wang’s notion was echoed by 10-year-old Charlie Liu, who said, “Parents should support you all the way, for example, they
can help you get comfortable in front of audiences.”
Lang Lang added, “It really depends on the kids. For those who want to be professional musicians, it is a different game
plan. For those parents who just want their kids to learn an instrument, they don’t need to be so pushy, and can simply
focus on bringing the joy and keeping that passion. But if the kids really want to be musicians, then they probably have to
give up something for their dreams.”
Ever since they were selected from a large pool of applicants to become young scholars of the foundation, the three
children have been enjoying a thrilling ride with Lang Lang. They have had the opportunity to participate in exciting
collaborative works such as on the Oprah Show and at Carnegie Hall.
When talking about his experience working with Lang Lang, Mingyi Liu, the proud father of Charlie Liu, said, “Lang Lang is
not only a great performer, but a wonderful teacher. Being a Young Scholar at the foundation really motivated Charlie to work
harder. ” Young Larson added, “When I first played at a concert with Lang Lang, I was amazed at his technique. His energy
and enthusiasm really inspired me.”
Through the Foundation’s Young Scholar Program, Lang Lang personally selects and mentors talented young pianists
from around the world and creates opportunities for them to inspire other kids through live classical music performances.
Lang Lang has lent his efforts to many charitable activities, and in the process, he has inspired young people to believe that
music can make life better.
By Jing Zhao Cesarone
In the City of Chicago where world-renowned pianist Lang Lang began his big dream 12 years
ago, the star and his three talented young scholars successfully ignited the passion and
dreams of spellbound youngsters at a dynamic educational event recently at the Cultural
Center.
“Lang Lang & Friends Live” kicked off playing to a full house of excited spectators, including
groups of young summer campers in bright-colored T-shirts sitting by the stage. After a brief
welcome by Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events Commissioner Michelle
Boone, a high-spirited and energized Lang Lang, called “the hottest artist on the classical music
planet” by the New York Times, took the stage. Then, he personally introduced his three
scholars, Anna Larsen, Charlie Liu and Derek Wang, who performed works by Prokofiev,
Chopin, Bach and even an original composition by Larsen. Their spectacular performances won
In the City of Chicago where world-renowned pianist Lang Lang began his big dream 12 years
ago, the star and his three talented young scholars successfully ignited the passion and
dreams of spellbound youngsters at a dynamic educational event recently at the Cultural
Center.
“Lang Lang & Friends Live” kicked off playing to a full house of excited spectators, including
groups of young summer campers in bright-colored T-shirts sitting by the stage. After a brief
welcome by Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events Commissioner Michelle
Boone, a high-spirited and energized Lang Lang, called “the hottest artist on the classical music
planet” by the New York Times, took the stage. Then, he personally introduced his three
scholars, Anna Larsen, Charlie Liu and Derek Wang, who performed works by Prokofiev,
Chopin, Bach and even an original composition by Larsen. Their spectacular performances won
| Jing Zhao Cesarone |