Initiatives

Initiatives

LANG LANG

YOUNG SCHOLARS PROGRAM

In 2011, First Initiative Foundation (FIF) and the Lang Lang International Music Foundation partnered to establish the Young Scholars' Program. The program aims to provide talented young pianists with the opportunity to learn from one of the best pianists and performers in the world.


FIF proudly sponsors two music scholarships for the Lang Lang International Music Foundation. Each scholarship is for a two year period, and Hong Kong recipients have the fantastic opportunity to join a handful of outstanding young pianists from around the world who are under the direct mentorship of Lang Lang.

 

Young Scholars is a brilliant way for talented young pianists to develop more confidence and enhance their performance skills. The global programme gives them the chance to perform locally and internationally, and showcases young Hong Kong talent on the world stage.

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Young Scholars

Ruby Wu is an exceptionally talented young pianist, flutist and performer. Music is not just her passion, it is a form of expression for her. Through her performance, Ruby uses music and performance to communicate her melodious ideas. Ruby was admitted into the GMC Academy Young Pianist Program at 6 years of age. She has participated and has won several piano competitions throughout Asia.

 

Yuk-Chiu Lai is a remarkably talented young pianist and violinist. At the age of four, he was introduced to the piano and has loved it since. Yuk-Chiu is a double major in the piano and violin. He has competed internationally and has earned several awards. While music is his passion, he has a wide range of interests as a cub scout and enjoys playing soccer and table tennis.

Young Scholars

Katarina Cheung is an outstanding young musician who sees music as her loyal friend. She regards music as a loyal companion who shares all the ups and downs in her life. A talented pianist, since the age of five she has  participated in and won several music competitions. Katarina devotes most of her time to music. She enjoys playing and sharing music with a group of musicians in the choir and the orchestra. Her interests and hobbies include table tennis, swimming, mathematics and reading.


Wilson Lung is an exceptional young musician, both talented at playing the piano and the Erhu. Through the Young Scholars' Program, he hopes to not only further his musical knowledge but also understand the artistry of performance from one of the world’s most recognised and respected classical artist – Lang Lang

Young Scholars

Jenny Kong is a wonderfully talented young pianist. We admire her dedication in taking piano lessons for nearly a decade, and her confidence in performing in front of her school peers. Jenny and her family are happy that the Young Scholars' Program is a chance for her to enrich her musical knowledge and develop her independence through travel.

 

Peter Leung is a truly remarkable young pianist. Peter has been learning piano since a very young age, and has won numerous prizes and school scholarships. Peter and his family hope that the Young Scholars' Program will build his confidence and open the doors to a fruitful future career in music.

Young Scholars

Sherri Lun is a creative young musician with a love for piano, viola, singing, and composing poetry. Sherri won her first award in the Hong Kong Schools Music Festival at a remarkably young age of 5, and went on to winning many more accolades throughout her childhood. Sherri’s impressive achievements with the Young Scholars allowed her to expand her artistic development.

 

Matthew Chan is a wonderful and hardworking pianist. His study at HKAPA in piano and clarinet, in addition to the Hong Kong Children’s Choir shows his versatility and talent in music. Matthew’s experience with the Young Scholars had many beneficial effects, including widening his extensive network of peers and professionals.

Young Scholars

Kate Lee is an outstanding young performer who enjoys sharing music with everyone on a big stage. Kate has been studying the piano from a very early age, and passed her Grade 8 exam with distinction at the age of eight. Kate delighted crowds with performances around the world, including an FIF event in London. Kate often expresses her gratitude to her good teachers, who taught her how to tell a story with music.

 

Jonathan Leung is a remarkable student, whose talents range from distinctions in piano and violin, to writing and sports. Under the Young Scholars' Program, he was able to travel and perform in a range of exciting events, including London and Manhattan. Jonathan treasured the opportunity to contribute to the Young Scholars by bringing classical music to other children around the world.

MANHATTAN SCHOOL OF MUSIC SCHOLARSHIPS

At FIF, we are very happy to extend our international outreach by pledging scholarship support funds to the Manhattan School of Music (MSM) in New York. The school is home to some of the best music scholars from the US and the world. It offers training in classical and jazz genres as well as musical theatre.

 

The FIF scholarship supports students from Hong Kong, enabling them to travel to New York and study amongst some of the most promising musicians of their generation


Claudia Ng is the current recipient of the First Initiative Foundation Scholarship at MSM, and is an exceptional clarinetist from Hong Kong. Before continuing her studies at MSM, Claudia studied the clarinet at the Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts (HKAPA), and was a regular prizewinner at the Hong Kong Schools Music Festivals, as well as international competitions in Beijing and Italy.

 

The FIF scholarship allows Claudia to complete her studies at MSM in addition to a summer music program. Claudia is a talented, deserving student and FIF is pleased to help her pursue a future career as a clarinetist.

HKPU DESIGN SCHOLARSHIP

FIF supports undergraduate and postgraduate academic scholarships at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (HKPU) School of Design, in honour of our ‘Make Time for Giving’ Sojourn watch campaign.

 

The scholarship supports design education in Hong Kong and gives local talented students the opportunity to join high-profile design projects. HKPU is one of the only institutions in Hong Kong that offers excellent higher education in design. We strongly admire its commitment to applying Asian innovation to global needs.


Angel Yuen is the most recent recipient of a 2016/17 First Initiative Foundation Design Scholarship, and has been studying Environment & Interior Design.

 

The FIF Scholarship has helped with her motivation to study design, and she has been engaging with projects, competitions and internships – all fantastic steps to help her achieve her dreams of becoming a designer in the community.



HONG KONG ACADEMY FOR PERFORMING ARTS

First Initiative Foundation funds two degree scholarships for four students annually at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA), helping talented local music students to pursue their ambitions.

 

At FIF, we fully support the educational philosophy at HKAPA, which celebrates cultural diversity and Hong Kong’s unique fusion of Chinese and Western traditions.

 

Chow Lok-Tung is studying for her BA Fine Art in Cantonese Opera, with the hope of becoming a Cantonese Opera actress. She has loved Cantonese Opera since early childhood. Lok-Tung has received the 2016/17 First Initiatives Scholarship to help her to achieve her ambitions to keep the traditional art form alive in the younger generation.

 

Siu Wing-Chi is studying for her BA Fine Art in Cantonese Opera Music. Having started her music lessons with the piano at the age of four, she now plays a repertoire of classical pluck-string instruments, majoring in Sanxian. She has received the 2016/17 First Initiatives Scholarship to further her education in Chinese Opera.

 

Bou Kwan-Ying is studying BA Music, and majors in Guzheng. Kwan-Ying has been awarded the 2016/17 First Initiatives Music Scholarship. FIF has supported the practice of this traditional Chinese instrument to enhance educational outreach into our community’s culture.

 

Wong Sum Ho is studying BA Music, and majors in two instruments with distinction – Erhu and Gaohu. Sum Ho has been awarded the 2016/17 First Initiatives Music Scholarship to support the creation of beautiful Chinese music.

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