The Lang Lang International Music Foundation™ (LLIMF) raised more than 1.6 million dollars at their 10th Anniversary Gala Concert Dinner in New York City last Wednesday, funding the organization’s efforts to educate, inspire, and motivate the next generation of music lovers and performers. The gala was hosted by Alec Baldwin, who along with auctioneer George McNeely led the foundations ‘call for cash’ drawing a flurry of donations.
The world-renowned pianist and creator of the foundation, Lang Lang, played led a special performance featuring the foundation’s Young Scholars.
“I really feel that this is a good beginning. I think the next ten years will be even easier to build up,” said Lang Lang. “We believe that if music just disappears from children’s fundamental studies, that would be the most tragic thing…We have to inspire kids to learn music.”
The evening also included special performances by three-time Grammy Award winner Wyclef Jean, twelve-time Grammy Award nominee Ledisi, and internationally acclaimed tenor Roberto Alagna. The Foundation presented a special award to Joan and Irwin Jacobs, who were honored for their contributions to classical arts.
The event was opened with a speech by Gala Chair John Paulson, who spoke about how musicians add richness to everyone’s lives.
And Sandy Weill, Chairman of the Board of Directors at LLIMF, presented a special award to Joan and Irwin Jacobs, who were honored for their contributions to classical arts.
Guests included Catherine Azmoodeh, Charles Atkins and Lisa Simonsen, Tony Bechara, Olivier Berrgruen, Christopher Burch & Monika Chiang, Andre Barwinski-Brown, Kelly Cutrone, Colin Cowie, Christina Cressey, Dushan Di Concilio, Brian and Joanna Fisher, Judith M. Hoffman, Robert Hormats, David Hryck, Joan Khan, John and Jenny Paulson, Sana Sabbagh, Elizabeth Segerstrom, Daisy Soros, Allyson Tang, Benny Tabatabai, Suzanne Vega and Paul Mills, Sandy Weill and Joan Weill, Jason Wu, Dr. Ruth Westheimer, Shirley Young, & Ann Ziff.