Lang Lang to Collaborate with Saudi Music Commission on Summer Piano Intensive

The month-long course will see 30 exceptional piano students receive training from Lang Lang, as well as other respected pedagogues

The Saudi Music Commission recently announced that it will collaborate with pianist Lang Lang to launch a new Summer Piano Intensive course targeted at the country's top piano students. The course, which will begin on June 29, 2025, will run for a month at the Saudi Music Hub in Riyadh, and thirty students will be selected to participate.

The faculty will be entirely selected and led by Lang Lang, and will include pedagogues from institutions such as The Juilliard School, Manhattan School of Music, and the Norwegian Academy of Music. They will lead a rich curriculum comprising masterclasses, individual lessons, and group activities.

Towards the end of the program, students will be able to receive lessons from Lang Lang himself, and selected students will appear alongside him in a performance.

A graduate of Beijing’s Central Conservatory of Music and the Curtis Institute of Music, Lang Lang studied with Zhao Ping-Guo and Gary Graffman.

He has sold millions of albums worldwide, topped classical charts, performed numerous sold-out shows, and garnered over 20 million social media followers. In addition, he was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by TIME magazine, and has performed for President Barack Obama, Pope Francis, and Queen Elizabeth II.

"This initiative kicks off a new chapter for music education in the Kingdom," said Paul Pacifico, CEO of the Saudi Music Commission. "By partnering with Lang Lang and his team of world-class educators, we are not only nurturing the next generation of Saudi artists but also redefining what is possible for our cultural landscape."

"I’ve been visiting Saudi Arabia for many years, and in that time, I’ve built lasting friendships that have broadened my perspective and deepened my belief in what’s possible when we come together with purpose," said Lang Lang.

"Launching this first-of-its-kind Summer Piano Intensive in partnership with the Music Commission is more than a milestone — it’s a celebration of the power of music to connect us, and of collaboration to create lasting change. I hope this marks the beginning of a journey that will inspire the next generation of musicians and help shape a legacy of world-class piano education and cultural enrichment in the Kingdom."