Lang Lang Receives Honorary Fellowship from The Royal Conservatory

Internationally celebrated piano virtuoso Lang Lang has been named an Honorary Fellow of The Royal Conservatory of Music. He received the fellowship - the highest designation conferred by the organization - last night during The Conservatory's sold-out Season Gala concert in Koerner Hall.

One of the world's most beloved and heralded pianists, Lang Lang has inspired millions with his dazzling, emotive playing. He has performed on great stages and at major events around the world, including at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. Lang Lang is equally renowned for his advocacy of music education and outreach to youth. In the words ofThe Financial Times, he is "evangelical in his efforts to spread the popularity of classical music."

"Lang Lang is truly a musical ambassador to the world," said Dr. Peter Simon, Michael and Sonja Koerner President & CEO of The Royal Conservatory. "He has performed concerts in every part of the planet while also dedicating himself to bringing music into the lives of children around the world. His global contributions to culture are immense, and his Honorary Fellowship is richly deserved."

Since 2015, The Royal Conservatory has worked with Lang Lang to transform young lives through classical music. The curriculum of The Royal Conservatory is the basis of Keys of InspirationTM, a public school program of the Lang Lang International Music FoundationTM (LLIMF). The program began at P.S. 46 Arthur Tappan School in Harlem, New York. It has expanded to 11 schools across the United States, reaching 2500 students. Students come from a wide range of backgrounds and experience; many have never had the opportunity to make music.

"It feels like a family reunion tonight," said Lang Lang upon accepting his Honorary Fellowship. "I am so very thankful to The Royal Conservatory. We have a wonderful project together and The Conservatory provides the project with an amazing system to follow, one that reaches an incredible number of students. I hope we will do many more great things for music education together."

As an Honorary Fellow of The Royal Conservatory, Lang Lang joins a distinguished group that includes Oscar Peterson, Sir Andrew Davis, Leslie Feist, David Foster, Leon Fleisher, k.d. lang, Bruce Cockburn, Bramwell Tovey, and The Tragically Hip.

The Royal Conservatory thanks Season Gala presenting sponsor BMO, event sponsors KPMG, Aimia, Deloitte, Downtown Porsche, and Audi Uptown, as well as our many table sponsors and ticket buyers.

The Royal Conservatory is one of the largest and most respected music and arts education institutions in the world. Providing the definitive standard of excellence in music education through its curriculum, assessment, performances, and teacher education programs, The Conservatory has had a substantial impact on the lives of millions of people globally. In addition, the organization has helped to train a number of internationally celebrated artists including Glenn Gould, Oscar Peterson, David Foster, Sarah McLachlan, Angela Hewitt, and Diana Krall. Motivated by its powerful mission to develop human potential through leadership in music and arts education, The Royal Conservatory has emerged over the last two decades as a leader in the development of arts-based programs that address a wide range of social issues. For more information, please visit www.rcmusic.ca.

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