OTTAWA --On September 18, 100 talented Ottawa students, paired on 50 Roland pianos, will have the opportunity of a lifetime, when they join world renowned piano virtuoso Lang Lang and the National Arts Center Orchestra’s music director Alexander Shelley onstage for 101 Pianists, a thrilling one-of-a-kind public masterclass and performance at the National Arts Centre. 

101 Pianists is presented by the NAC and the Lang Lang Foundation, with generous support from Mastercard and Gala Presenting Sponsor CIBC, with additional support from Roland Canada, Ltd. This unique social musical event will inspire young piano enthusiasts to celebrate their love of music by performing as an ensemble in an environment that is both intimate and captivating.

The Lang Lang Foundation developed 101 Pianists as an opportunity for young piano students to learn from and perform with Lang Lang for audiences around the world. To date, these hugely successful events have unfolded in Paris, Berlin, London, Hong Kong and Rome, along with many other international cities inspiring over 100,000 audience members and 1200 piano students.

“Music is powerful. I want every child to have access to music experiences that ignite something wonderful inside of them, just as music delivered something incredible for me,” says Lang Lang.

Lang Lang, a Chinese-born piano superstar, became an international sensation when he was still a young man. He has performed on the world stage at the Beijing Olympic Games, and in 2009, he was listed in Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People in the World. His unparalleled talent has been credited with inspiring millions of children to take up the piano in what has been dubbed “the Lang-Lang effect.” 

Lang Lang will also join Music Director Alexander Shelley and the NAC Orchestra, on September 19 at 5:30 p.m. for the annual star-studded NAC Gala. This signature fund raising event benefitting the National Youth and Education Trust provides much needed resources for the NAC’s youth and education programming.

The one-hour performance of 101 Pianists is open to the public and tickets are general admission at $22.60. It will be held in Southam Hall at 3:00 pm on September 18.

 

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TO BOOK AN INTERVIEW, PLEASE CONTACT:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Andrea Ruttan
Communications Officer, NAC Orchestra
Agente de Communication, Orchestre de CNA
Andrea.Ruttan@nac-cna.ca
613 947-7000 x335
613 220-5487 (mobile)