Dr Lang Lang is an internationally renowned pianist, educator, philanthropist, a United Nations Messenger of Peace and a leader in bringing classical music into the 21st century and building bridges between Eastern and Western culture.
Lang Lang started playing the piano at the age of three, and by his early teens was winning top national and international competitions. He left China for Philadelphia's Curtis Institute of Music, where he worked with the legendary pianist Gary Graffman and became a musical sensation at seventeen.
He has since played for world leaders and has performed at important events such as the opening ceremonies of the 2006 World Cup, the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games and the 2014 Incheon Asian Games, as well as the 2014 UN Day Concert and the Nobel Peace Prize award ceremonies in 2007 and 2009.
For the first time in its 160-year history, Steinway & Sons named a model after a single artist when they introduced the ‘Lang Lang Piano' in China. Lang Lang has given recitals and concerts in all major cities and was the first Chinese pianist to be engaged by the Vienna Philharmonic, the Berlin Philharmonic and leading American orchestras. He was also the first Chinese pianist to have held solo performances at the White House, and has been invited by the British Royal Family to perform commissioned works. Lang Lang also performed at the Grammy Awards with Herbie Hancock in 2008, with Metallica in 2014 and with Pharrell Williams in 2015.
In the past decade, Lang Lang has contributed to musical education and support for children worldwide by establishing the Lang Lang International Music Foundation - cultivating tomorrow's top pianists, championing music education through technology, and educating young audiences with live music experiences.
Lang Lang holds honorary degrees from the Royal College of Music and Birmingham City University in the UK, and the Manhattan School of Music and New York University in the US. He has been awarded the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany, and the Medal of the Order of Arts and Letters of France.
In recognition of his contributions to culture, society and the world, the University has resolved to confer upon him the degree of Doctor of Social Sciences honoris causa.
