12 year-old represents South Africa at international music event

Christian Deuringer, the head of global brand management at Allianz SE.

• Fourth international Allianz Junior Music Camp took place at Fryderyk Chopin University of Music in Warsaw November 2-8, 2016 • Budding pianists from 10 countries, including South Africa played alongside Lang Lang before an audience of 700 people • Qden Blaauw is the first pianist to represent South Africa at the camp since its inception

South African Qden Blaauw (12) represented South Africa at the Allianz Music Camp 2016. The camp took place in Warsaw, Poland from November 2 to 8. The first pianist to represent South Africa at the camp, Qden played alongside nine others aged 9-14 from China, Germany, Italy, Ireland, Poland, Spain, South Korea, the UK and the United States.

He was selected by the Lang Lang International Music Foundation in cooperation with the renowned Fryderyk Chopin Institute to participate in the one-week camp. The highlight of the camp was performing with prominent pianist Lang-Lang at a public masterclass in front of 700 guests on November 7.

During the Allianz Junior Music Camp, participants were given solo piano lessons by professors of the ‘Hochschule fuer Musik und Theater Muenchen’ and they also performed for school students at the Fryderyk Chopin University of Music. In addition, the young pianists got a chance to experience the culture of Poland, including a private trip to ?elazowa Wola, Fryderyk Chopin’s birthplace.

“At Allianz, we believe in the power of music. Music is one of the main essences of life, it empowers people to express themselves and bring together people from all ages and cultures,” said Christian Deuringer, the head of global brand management at Allianz SE. “That’s why, together with the Lang Lang International Music Foundation, we created the Allianz Junior Music Camp, so talented youngsters can dare to follow their dreams, be courageous and build their skills with a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

The camp is about nurturing musical talent, not about competition. “Observing a new generation of music ambassadors, kids playing together, sharing their common passion and spreading the message of music to a wider audience makes me feel very optimistic about the future of the piano world,” says Lang Lang.

“The Lang Lang International Music Foundation shares a common vision with our partner Allianz – to inspire the next generation of classical musicians and celebrate their passion for music,” says Leszek Lukas Barwinski, chief executive officer of Lang Lang International Music Foundation.