Lang Lang foundation plans 10th anniversary gala

The Lang Lang International Music Foundation will celebrate its 10th anniversary with an Oct 10 benefit gala at Cipriani 25 Broadway in New York.

World-renowned pianist Lang Lang will lead a performance featuring the foundation's Young Scholars during the gala.

Golden Globe-winning actor Alec Baldwin will host the event, which also will feature internationally acclaimed tenor Roberto Alagna, 12-time Grammy Award nominee Ledisi and three-time Grammy Award-winner Wyclef Jean.

Founded in 2008 by Lang Lang, the Lang Lang International Music Foundation (LLIMF) strives to educate, inspire and motivate the next generation of music lovers and performers. Their unique programs encourage music performance at all levels as a means of social and emotional development for today's youth. By igniting a child's passion for music, the foundation is helping children worldwide aim for a better future.

Within 10 years, the foundation has successfully developed music education programs benefiting children across the world, including Keys of Inspiration, 101 Pianists, Young Scholars and Play It Forward.

Keys of Inspiration (KOI) is one of the most influential programs of the foundation. The strategic program weaves rigorous, keyboard-centric musical instruction into selected Title 1 public schools' mandatory curriculum — integrating group piano classes for Grades 2-5, twice a week.

A typical KOI piano lab contains a permanent piano lab with 20 to 30 state of the art electric Roland pianos; workbooks designed by Lang Lang; a musical curriculum written by The Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto; supplemental training and ongoing support for the music teachers; and access to the Keys of Inspiration Educators Network and Resource Library.

The Keys of Inspiration piano lab provides students of all backgrounds with a safe, creative outlet in school and gives them a chance to build self-confidence and develop a drive for excellence and a sense of achievement.

"At LLIMF, we believe that all children should have access to music education, regardless of their background," Lang Lang once said.

"Most students enter the program with no prior knowledge of music or piano. There have been many students who began the program speaking no English, but in the KOI classroom, everyone speaks one language: music.

"In the piano lab, they gain the confidence to communicate with their peers. There are also cases of students who didn't like coming to school, or were struggling. Now, they're star students," Lang Lang said.

KOI started in 2013 with only two schools and 300 students. As of September 2018, it will have 40 schools enrolled in the program from across the country, reaching more than 6,000 students.

Utilizing a strategic expansion plan, KOI will reach 30,000 students in 80 schools by 2020, says Leszek Barwinski-Brown, the chief executive officer of LLIMF.

Lang Lang also plays an essential role in the program. He frequently takes time out of his tour schedule to visit piano labs across the country. Moments shared between Lang Lang and the KOI students are always special — he inspires joy and a love of music in the students.

Education Manager Ariela Rossberg explained: "He helps them to see what they are capable of achieving. There was a lovely moment between Lang Lang and a student at High Tech Elementary Explorer in San Diego. This particular student wanted to perform, but was extremely shy. After a tremendous display of love and support from the class and a lot of encouragement and empathy from Lang Lang, the student worked up the courage to sit down at the piano and perform in front of everyone."

In addition to KOI, the foundation's other programs have made a significant impact in the world of music education. With 101 Pianists, the foundation brings together 100 young piano students from one city for a unique social music performance with Lang Lang. This inspiring celebration of music recognizes the passion and talent of young musicians. To date, this program has inspired audiences in 18 cities worldwide.

The Young Scholars program is a unique music education initiative designed to identify and support extraordinarily talented young pianists in their professional and social development. Every two years, LLIMF welcomes a new class of Young Scholars to the Lang Lang International Music Foundation family. 

The students, selected by Lang Lang and his teacher Gary Graffman from hundreds of applicants, receive mentorship, tutelage and unique performance opportunities. They participate yearly in the Oxford Summer Piano Academy, Music Fest in Perugia, Leeds International Piano Festival, Summer Music Academy at the Eurpean Culture Center in Poland and the Summer Music Summit in Chicago.

The scholars also are encouraged to participate in the Play It Forward program, which brings the healing properties and joys of music and art to groups of all ages and abilities in their community.

The Lang Lang International Music Foundation believes that by igniting a child's passion for music, it is helping children worldwide aim for a better future.