The Lang Lang Foundation provides children all around the world access to music experiences.
Lang Lang Scholars, Binna Han, and I enjoying the Lang Lang Foundation Gala Dinner
“ I have to really support the next generation to achieve their dreams, because we have the same dream and we have to help each other. ”
The Lang Lang International Music Foundation held their annual gala at Cipriani, featuring captivating performances by Lang Lang Scholars, Wyclef Jean, and Lang Lang himself.
The gala depicted the power music can have on children, and it was inspiring how Lang Lang, a world-renowned pianist himself, has dedicated himself to spreading the beauty of music through children all over the world with the Lang Lang Foundation.
The evening was chaired by John Paulson, who discussed his attempt to play various instruments as a child, starting ith the flute, then moving on to the drums, saxophone, then other instruments. He explained, “I ultimately realized I was a better listener than performer.” Lang Lang and Leszek Barwinski Brown, CEO of the Lang Lang foundation, continued the evening describing, “We’re here tonight to celebrate the power of music, whether it comes from a classroom or Carnegie Hall, music always inspires us in ways we never knew were possible.
Lang Lang Scholars, BLukas Barwinski-Brown, and Barbara Tober
“When you have a child who feels better about himself, it opens the door for them to do better across the board. ”
During the evening, the audience learned of the incredible impact the Lang Lang Foundation has had on children all over the world. Among the many Lang Lang Scholars that attended the event was Clayton Stephenson, who described how he found his first piano in a trash can, practicing on it for 6 years. After receiving training as a Lang Lang Scholar, he was gifted a Steinway piano, which was a remarkable transformation for him in his ability to practice the craft he loves. Now a student at Harvard studying economics, Clayton has performed with Lang Lang at Carnegie Hall and the United Nations Assembly Hall.
I personally sat next to Xirnran, an elegant, poised, and passionate 13-year old who is also a Lang Lang Scholar. With indescribable enthusiasm, she shared her passion for piano and how much she loves to practice for hours each day. Her role as a Lang Lang Scholar has provided her with additional training and opportunities she would not have otherwise had. I was really moved by her dedication and enthusiasm for something she loves so dearly, particularly at such a young age.
Barbara Tober presented a posthumous Lifetime Philanthropy Award to Shirley Young, a former VP of General Motors who served on the boards of many corporations, many times as the first woman and first Asian-America – some of the boards she served on included Bank of America, Bll Atlantic, Target, Holiday Inn, and Salesforce.com. Shirley was longtime board member of the Lang Lang foundation, who met Lang Lang when he was ten years old. A $100,000 challenge grant was announced by her sons during the evening to provide school sponsorship in her honor.
“Music makes life better. It heals, unites and inspires, and it makes us better people. Music is powerful. I want every child to have access to music experiences that ignite something wonderful inside of them, just as music delivered something incredible for me.”
The Lang Lang Foundation aims to provide every child with access to music experiences. Their programs such as 101 pianists, which was started to give piano students the ability to play together, Keys of Inspiration, which aims to change how music education is valued and delivered in public schools, and the Young Scholars Program, which identifies and supports talented young paints in their development, each work to expand the beauty and power of music to everyone, enabling children to tap into skills, passions, and experiences they would otherwise not have had.
Leszek Barwinski, Lang Lang Foundation CEO, with Binna Han
“It was incredible to be part of an organization that focuses on opening minds through music. I believe that experiencing music of other cultures increases tolerance and cultural empathy in people, and everything that we do is based on effecting this social change. Music heals and unites and inspires. I’m truly happy to be a supporter of the Lang Lang Foundation and I, too, want every child to have access to music experiences that ignites something wonderful inside of them.”