Lang Lang International Music Foundation® gathered friends
at Carnegie Hall Thursday evening for their to celebrate the
second Young Scholars Graduation Concert, held in the Weill
Recital Hall. Sandy Weill (Sanford I. Weill) is a member of
the Board of Directors. The graduation performance marked
the culmination of their two year stints of study under the
tutelage of the Lang Lang Foundation, during which time they
performed on stages and in festivals all over the world.
Five of the nine graduating Young Scholars displayed their
talents and passions by performing mesmerizing selections
from Chopin, Liszt and Beethoven for a captivated audience.
Introducing them was Lukas Barwinski-Brown, the exuberant
CEO of the Foundation, who said, “I really feel very
emotional today. I feel like a Proud papa!” A fitting
description by Lukas, who by his own account has known some
of these proteges since they were 10 years old.
The young prodigies included Aliya Alsafa, Jeffrey Chin,
Jasper Heymann, Avik Sarkar, and Shueheng Zhang, who all
boast impressive resumes at their young ages:
Aliya Alsafa, aged 15, has won first place at the Chopin
Youth Piano Competition, Sejon Music Competition, and the
Walgreens National Concerto Early Music Division. She was
also the youngest contestant at the MostArts 2017
competition, where she received the Audience Favorite
Prize.
Jeffrey Chin, 18, has won a handful of competitions,
including the Steinway Piano Concerto Competition at age 11,
as well as the MTNA Junior Piano Competition,
at age 14.
Jasper Heymann, 17, has been lauded for his “astounding
lyricism and deep emotional bond with the music” by the New
York Concert Review, and garnered top prizes in the AADGT,
The KOR, American Fine Arts, and Golden Key competitions.
Avik Sarkar, 19, has been a first-prize winner at the
Mildred Freiberg and Ruth Davidson New England Piano
Teachers’ Association, a four-time winner of the Steinway
Society of Massachusetts, and five-time winner of the
Massachusetts Music Teachers’ Association piano
competition.
Shuheng Zhang, 17, has been praised for his “invigorating,
incisive, and note-perfect account” by the Chicago Music
Report for his performance of Mozart Piano Concerto No. 23
with the Midwest Young Artists Orchestra, and has received
top honors at the Thousand Islands International
Competition, David Dubois Piano Competition, Lee University
International Piano Competition, MTNA, and MMTA
competitions.
All five of the blossoming, young musicians performed with
astounding precision and artistry, truly enchanting the
audience.
After the performances were complete the scholars were
presented with diplomas by Lukas, who told each of them, “In
the name of the Lang Lang International Music Foundation we
officially recognize you for your outstanding performance
and participation in the Young Scholar program for
2018-2020.”
The graduation concert was followed by a lively cocktail
reception, where guests were able to mingle with the rising
stars, and express their reverence and respect.
Friends and benefactors of Lang Lang in attendance included
Edgar Batista, Joanne Fisher, Paul Hands and Teri Agins,
Cole Rumbough and Emily Mohr, Alice Lutz, Inga Rubenstein,
Reni Rothschild, Adrian Danchig-Waring, Melite de Foucaud,
Sharon King Hoge, Aimee and William Maroney, and Kaity
Tong.
Founded in 2008, The Lang Lang International Music
Foundation® strives to make music a part of every child's
life, offering music education to children across the
world. The Lang Lang International Music Foundation®
reaches children at all levels regardless of their
background or talent level. The Keys of Inspiration® program
redefines what music education looks like in public schools
by providing up to 30 Roland keyboards and a complete music
curriculum to underfunded schools. The Foundation’s Young
Scholars program nurtures the development of gifted young
piano talent. Young Scholars are offered masterclasses,
mentorship, and entry into international festivals and
competitions. Young Scholars also received practical
training on becoming world class concert pianists. For more
see: http://langlangfoundation.org |