Lang Lang International Music Foundation and MYAC to host three concerts, from Naperville to Lake Geneva
Midwest Young Artists Conservatory in Highwood recently announced the revival of its collaboration with the renowned Lang Lang International Music Foundation in 2024, following the COVID years.
This partnership will bring three concerts, showcasing the exceptional talents of accomplished young pianists, to audiences from Naperville to Lake Geneva.
The concert series will feature extraordinary performances by Alexander Liu, Anna Kesselman, Taige Wang, Ryan Huang, and Ryan Wang, promising an unforgettable experience of classical music excellence.
“The collaboration between the Lang International Music Foundation and the Midwest Young Artists Conservatory marks a significant milestone in nurturing the next generation of musicians,” said Leszek Barwiński-Brown, chief executive officer of the Lang Lang International Music Foundation. “This partnership brings unparalleled opportunities for young talents to benefit from the mentorship and performance platforms, thereby enriching the cultural landscape of the community.”
The concerts will be at: 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 17, in Wentz Hall at North Central College, 171 E. Chicago Ave. in Naperville; 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 17, at MYAC Center, 878 Lyster Road, Highwood; and 1 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 18, at Riviera Ballroom, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.
“This collaboration with the Lang Lang International Music Foundation aligns perfectly with our mission to nurture and inspire young musicians,” said Dr. Allan Dennis, president, founder and music director of MYAC. “We are excited to once again present these remarkable young artists to our community. The combination of the fabulous performer and master teacher Lang Lang’s hand-picked students and Midwest Young Artists Conservatory’s Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Music students made for incredible concerts before COVID, and we are beyond excited to resume this long-term collaboration this year.
“Their performances of Chopin’s Piano Concerto, movements from Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 21, and Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2, as well as orchestral masterpieces by Weber and Humperdinck, will make for an inspirational, fun, and musically rewarding program — and admission is free!,” Dennis said.
For more information about the concert series or to secure your free tickets, visit mya.org/upcoming-events or contact MYAC at (847) 926-9898.
“Audiences can look forward to exceptional concerts showcasing a diverse repertoire, performed with outstanding musicality and passion, promising an unforgettable experience that celebrates the future of classical music,” Barwiński-Brown said.
• Thirteen-year-old Ryan Huang, a Young Steinway Artist, has gained recognition for his exceptional piano talent, featured in CBC News, PBS, and more. He studies under renowned teachers Michael Berkovsky and Olga Chichova in Toronto.
• Sixteen-year-old pianist Anna Kesselman, a student at the Special Music School at Kaufman Music Center and Young Scholar of the Lang Lang International Music Foundation, has performed at prestigious venues like Carnegie’s Weill Recital Hall and internationally at festivals such as the Cremona International Music Festival in Italy.
• Twelve-year-old Alexander Liu, a passionate and creative pianist studying under Professor Orli Shaham at Juilliard Pre-College, has achieved numerous accolades, including grand prizes and first-place finishes at major competitions. He has performed at esteemed venues like Isaac Stern Auditorium and New York Town Hall.
• Ryan Wang, a 15-year-old pianist from Jericho, New York, captivates audiences with his passionate and emotionally mature performances. An award-winning musician, radio show host, and documentary filmmaker, Ryan is committed to making music accessible to all.
• Thirteen-year-old pianist and composer Taige Wang, a student at The Juilliard School under Yoheved Kaplinsky, began performing publicly at age four. With numerous competition wins, including the Piano E Competition and Los Angeles International Liszt Competition, Taige continues to impress audiences worldwide.
About Midwest Young Artists Conservatory
Midwest Young Artists Conservatory is dedicated to enriching the lives of young musicians through exceptional music education and performance opportunities. Located in Highwood, Illinois, MYAC serves hundreds of students from the Chicago area and beyond.
About Lang Lang International Music Foundation
Founded by the world-renowned pianist Lang Lang, the Lang Lang International Music Foundation seeks to inspire and educate the next generation of classical music lovers and performers through outreach programs and high-profile collaborations.