Lang Lang International Music Foundation Opens Applications for 2027–2029 Young Scholars Program

10/02/26

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• On September 1, The Lang Lang International Music Foundation® will open applications for the 2027-2029 class of its acclaimed Young Scholars™ Program, inviting exceptional pianists under 18-years-old from around the world to apply.

  Created in 2008, the Lang Lang Young Scholars Program supports highly talented young pianists at a pivotal stage in their artistic development. Every three years, a select group of musicians is chosen to receive direct mentorship from Lang Lang, leading artists, and educators, along with fully-funded musical training, international performance opportunities, and cultural experiences across the program’s global hubs in North America, Europe, and Asia.

  

  Scholars train with renowned educators, attend immersive academies at leading institutions including the Curtis Institute of Music, The Juilliard School, Cleveland Institute of Music, Vienna University of Music and Performing Arts, and Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing, and perform in internationally-recognized concert halls, festivals and cultural landmarks.

  Scholars participate in fully-funded intensive academies and artistic residencies hosted by leading music institutions, including Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing, the Cleveland Institute of Music, the Curtis Institute of Music, the Royal College of Music in London, the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna, and the Krzysztof Penderecki Academy of Music in Kraków.

  Scholars have also performed in internationally-recognized concert halls, festivals and cultural landmarks, including Carnegie Hall, the Great Wall of China, Trafalgar Square in London, the Aspen Music Festival, the Piano Concerto Festival in France, Musikfestspiele Saar in Germany, the Andermatt Music Festival in Switzerland, Windsor Castle, in the presence of His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, and more.

  Applicants will submit performance materials for review by a distinguished international panel of artistic advisors and educators. The panel will include Veda Kaplinsky, Chair of the Piano Department at The Juilliard School; Vanessa Latarche, Head of Keyboard at the Royal College of Music; Danwen Wei, Director of the Piano Department at the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing; Antonio Pompa-Baldi, Head of Keyboard and Guitar Performance at the Cleveland Institute of Music; Alexandre Moutouzkine, Co-Head of the Piano Department at Manhattan School of Music; and Alvin Zhu, Piano Faculty at the Tianjin Juilliard School and Artistic Director of the IPPA China Division.

  Rooted in Lang Lang’s belief that music has the power to inspire, connect, and transform lives, the Young Scholars Program encourages artistic excellence while empowering young musicians to share their talents, serve their communities, and become thoughtful leaders in the global musical landscape. In addition to developing as performers, Scholars are encouraged to use music to connect with communities and serve others through the Foundation’s Music Heals™ initiative.

  As Lang Lang has said, “We don’t just want our Scholars to play music. We want them to understand how to make a difference through music.”

  Since 2008, more than 60 young musicians from around the world have participated in the program, receiving mentorship, training, performance opportunities, and experiences that have helped shape their development as artists and as people. Alumni remain connected through the Young Scholars Alumni Community, a growing international network that provides continued artistic and professional support. Alumni have gone on to study at leading conservatories including Juilliard, New England Conservatory of Music, the Royal College of Music, and the Curtis Institute of Music, as well as sign with acclaimed management companies like CAMI Music and HarrisonParrott.

  Application dates, eligibility requirements, repertoire guidelines, and submission instructions are available on the Young Scholars page at: https://langlangfoundation.org/programs/young-scholars/

  About the Lang Lang International Music Foundation
  Founded in 2008 by world-renowned pianist Lang Lang, the Lang Lang International Music Foundation® educates, inspires, and motivates the next generation of music lovers and performers. Through innovative music education programs, artistic mentorship, and unique performance opportunities, the Foundation uses music as a force for connection, personal development, artistic growth, and positive change in communities around the world.