The Lang Lang International Music Foundation presents its biannual gala on Wednesday, March 4, at The Metropolitan Club in New York City. The evening will feature special performances by students of the foundation, Antonia Bennett, Ray Chen, and world-renowned pianist Lang Lang. The gala celebrates the foundation’s mission to inspire and cultivate the next generation of musicians through innovative programs and exceptional educational opportunities.
Founded in 2008, the Lang Lang International Music Foundation operates under the core belief that music education is 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.
“What makes the Lang Lang International Music Foundation special is its ability to reach students across communities and open doors through music,” said CEO Lukas Barwinski-Brown. “This gala honors the shared belief that music can inspire, connect, and create lasting impact.”
Keys of Inspiration (KOI), one of the foundation’s main programs, empowers students in underserved communities by fostering creativity, confidence, discipline, and collaboration through music education. Since its launch in 2013, KOI has reached more than 200,000 students worldwide, spanning 192 schools across the United States, Europe, and China. Additionally, the program has served nearly 60,000 students across major cities, including New York, Chicago, Boston, Los Angeles, Miami, and more.
Ahead of the gala, the foundation will honor Jung Eun Hong of Brooklyn’s PS 214K Michael Friedsam School as the 2024–2025 Keys of Inspiration Teacher of the Year. She is honored for her innovative approach to music education and her commitment to her students, which have made a lasting impact within New York City Public Schools and the broader KOI community.
Another one of the foundation’s main programs, Young Scholars, is a three-year initiative designed to empower talented young pianists ages 13 to 18. Each year, approximately 20 pianists from across the globe participate in the program, which includes immersive international exchanges and week-long lessons at renowned institutions. This year’s gala will feature performances by Young Scholars Seokyoung Hong, Ryan Huang, Anna Kesselman, Alexander Liu, Ryan Wang, Taige Wang, and Sencheng Zhang.
Scholars benefit from masterclasses with Lang Lang and distinguished faculty from institutions such as Juilliard, The Royal Academy of Music, and the Manhattan School of Music, while performing in venues ranging from local stages to world-class concert halls.
For more information on the foundation, its programs, and the gala, visit langlangfoundation.org.