Top young pianists descend on CIM for Lang Lang Foundation Young Scholars Summit

Twelve of the world’s finest young pianists will descend on CIM this summer to advance toward a career at the keyboard. 

The pianists, all under age 16, hail from the US, Europe, and China and are taking part in the Young Scholars Summit, a new summer offering within a multi-year mentorship program presented by the Lang Lang International Music Foundation.  

At CIM from June 24-29, they’ll train with Antonio Pompa-Baldi, Distinguished Professor of Piano at CIM and an artistic advisor at the Lang Lang Foundation, as well as Keyboard Division Head Kathryn Brown, eurhythmics faculty Sonia Hu, faculty career advisor Ariel Karas, and piano faculty members Daniel Shapiro and Sean Schulze.  

“I am thrilled about our partnership with CIM to create the Young Scholars Summit,” said Leszek Barwinski-Brown, CEO of the Lang Lang International Music Foundation.  

“Our collaboration with this esteemed institution is a pivotal part of our dedication to supporting and empowering young musicians.”  

The 12 pianists in the 2024 cohort of the Scholars program were selected from a pool of hundreds of applicants worldwide. They were selected by an elite panel that included Pompa-Baldi and Veda Kaplinsky, Head of Piano at Juilliard School, representing North, Central, and South America, as well as advisors representing Europe, Africa, Oceania, and Asia. 

Within the program, participants enjoy numerous international training opportunities, including the new Summit at CIM, as well as ongoing mentorship from Lang Lang himself. The pianist’s aim with the three-year program is to forge lasting relationships and nurture a new generation of young artists as they embark on careers.  

“It's amazing to see our scholars get this chance to grow and learn at such a renowned place,” said Lang Lang, one of the world’s most acclaimed pianists and the founder of the Scholars program. “Our partnership with this fantastic institution reflects our dedication to developing and helping young musicians.” 

Specific offerings within the Summit are still being determined. Current plans for CIM faculty include conducting masterclasses, lecturing on piano pedagogy, presenting career building advice, and hosting Eurythmics demonstrations.  

Whatever transpires, Pompa-Baldi said one thing is certain to take place, the thing that makes the Summit so special. Among all the many events within the Young Scholar program, he said, the Summit at CIM is the only one that calls for all 12 pianists to be together under one roof.   

“The Scholars will come to CIM to improve their craft, but also to forge friendships, and to bring their talent into the Cleveland community,” Pompa-Baldi said. 

“I am grateful to CIM for embracing and supporting this event and to the Lang Lang Foundation for entrusting me to bring it here. This will be a splendid week of music-making and camaraderie, and something to really look forward to.”  

For more information about the Summit, including a schedule of public events, visit cim.edu/langlangsummit.