NEW YORK – The Lang Lang International Music Foundation celebrated its enduring mission to shape future musical talents during a prestigious gala at the Metropolitan Club on Wednesday. The event showcased both the artistic excellence and philanthropic vision that has defined the organization since its 2008 inception.
Internationally acclaimed pianist Lang Lang emphasized music’s dual role as both artistic discipline and cultural connector. “Music functions similarly to language acquisition,” he explained. “Early immersion fosters natural connection, while simultaneously serving as a powerful bridge between diverse cultures and backgrounds.” This philosophy underpins the foundation’s comprehensive approach to musical education and outreach.
The foundation’s impact spans multiple continents through specialized initiatives. Its Keys of Joy program in China has established a nationwide network encompassing 25 provinces, 71 cities, and 102 county-level regions. Simultaneously, the Keys of Inspiration international initiative has funded 127 music classrooms, donated over 1,800 smart pianos, and directly benefited more than 180,000 children across the United States and Europe.
Young Scholars from the foundation – including Sencheng Zhang, Taige Wang, Anna Kesselman, Ryan Wang, Alexander Liu, and Ryan Huang – demonstrated their artistic development through collaborative performances. These emerging musicians have gained international exposure through the program, performing in renowned concert halls while also bringing music to underserved communities, hospitals, and rural areas.
Anna Kesselman, one of the participating scholars, described Lang as both musical inspiration and humanitarian role model. “He has pioneered extraordinary efforts to make classical music accessible through diverse platforms,” she noted. “I aspire to emulate his work in bringing beautiful music to widespread audiences as a cultural ambassador.”
Fourteen-year-old scholar Alexander Liu recounted his transformative experience performing with the foundation on China’s Great Wall. “Everything presented new perspectives – from performance techniques to cultural nuances in communication and even how musicians approach the piano,” he reflected.
Foundation CEO Lukas Barwinski-Brown highlighted the organization’s unique capacity to “reach students across communities and open doors through music.” Board Chairman David Hsieh reinforced this vision, stating: “We aim not only to cultivate the next generation of virtuosos but also to bring musical education to schools and underprivileged neighborhoods worldwide.”