A local children’s choir opened the evening with a heartfelt rendition of the song “Heal the World,” filling the historic Metropolitan Club in Manhattan, New York City, with warmth and hope. The performance set the tone for the Lang Lang International Music Foundation’s New York gala on Wednesday night.
At the event themed “Music Heals,” Chinese pianist Lang Lang joined young musicians in promoting music education and cultural exchange. “In today’s turbulent world, we hope music and education can bring some positive impact to the world,” Lang said. Founded in 2008, the foundation has focused on supporting the development of young musicians while expanding access to music education for students from diverse backgrounds.
Its flagship programmes, “Keys of Joy” and “Keys of Inspiration,” have reached hundreds of schools and hospitals across China, the United States and Europe since 2013. “Music education can shape a child’s character and how they see the world,” Lang said. “It builds confidence and gives them positive energy to face challenges.” For Lang, music is not only an art form but also serves as a bridge between cultures.
“Musicians are not only performers, but also cultural ambassadors,” he noted, hoping they would become “people who spread love and positive energy.” In 2025, the foundation brought young musicians to perform on the Great Wall in Beijing, part of its efforts to create similar opportunities each year to help strengthen musical connections between China, the United States and Europe.
Xinhua
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