Interlochen to partner with Chicago Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic, and University Musical Society to celebrate Interlochen’s centennial
Acclaimed pianist Lang Lang and visionary conductor Cristian Măcelaru, Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the Interlochen Center for the Arts' World Youth Symphony Orchestra, will join Interlochen Arts Academy students from all seven artistic disciplines—creative writing, dance, film & new media, interdisciplinary arts, music, theatre, and visual arts—for a vibrant multidisciplinary performance featuring a world premiere new work from Clarice Assad centered on the theme of world friendship.
As part of the March 2028 tour, Interlochen faculty will offer master classes with Creative Youth Development organizations in the tour cities. Students from these youth arts organizations will be chosen to receive scholarships to Interlochen Arts Camp.
INTERLOCHEN, Mich.—Interlochen Arts Academy is partnering with the Chicago Symphony, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and the University of Michigan’s University Musical Society (UMS) to mark Interlochen’s centennial and promote world friendship with a March 2028 tour. Cristian Măcelaru and famed pianist Lang Lang—both celebrated international ambassadors for the arts—will be part this one-of-a-kind collaboration: Lang Lang will join students on Interlochen’s campus for master classes and rehearsals and will perform with them on stage under the baton of Cristian Măcelaru for concerts at Interlochen’s Corson Auditorium (March 10, 2028), Ann Arbor’s Hill Auditorium at the University of Michigan (March 12, 2028), Chicago Symphony Center (March 14, 2028), and Los Angeles’ Walt Disney Concert Hall (March 17, 2028).
Lang Lang and Assad will be just two of the gifted professional collaborators to rehearse and perform with students for this tour. Stage director, artistic director, and educator Matthew Ozawa has been engaged as creative director and will work closely with Interlochen Director Laura Mittelstaedt to bring the work to life. Under Măcelaru’s leadership, who himself is an Interlochen Camp and Academy alumnus, members of the Chicago Symphony and the Los Angeles Philharmonic will perform side-by-side with the Arts Academy Orchestra at the performances in Chicago and Los Angeles, respectively.
The performance’s globally minded theme is underscored by the tour’s final destination: Los Angeles, the host of the 2028 Summer Olympic Games. Both Lang Lang and Măcelaru have previously performed at the Olympics, with Măcelaru leading the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, before a global audience estimated at 1.5 billion people, and Lang Lang performing at the 2008 Beijing Games and the 2026 Milano Cortina Games.
“Since our founding in 1928, Interlochen has been a gathering place for students, educators, and arts enthusiasts from around the world,” said Trey Devey, President of Interlochen Center for the Arts. “Today, as in 1945, the words inscribed on Kresge Auditorium echo our unwavering belief that the arts transcend ages, cultures, borders, and languages. This tour—which unites high school students from 47 U.S. states and territories and 32 countries; three of our nation’s leading cultural institutions; a Romanian-born conductor; a Brazilian-American composer; a Japanese-American creative director; and a Chinese pianist—is a powerful reflection of that belief. Together, these renowned creatives will lift up the voices of the next generation of artists and amplify our message of international cooperation through the arts and education—a fitting tribute to Interlochen’s past, present, and future.”
"The University Musical Society (UMS) and the University of Michigan are delighted to celebrate Interlochen's centennial in 2028," said UMS President Matthew VanBesien. "As a fellow nationally-renown arts organization with a long history here in Michigan — UMS will celebrate its 150th season in 28/29 — we have seen the incredible impact of Interlochen first-hand, from the many professional musicians and artists who started their training there, to the hundreds of local students who participate in summer programs every summer. We are proud to showcase the multi-disciplinary talents of the Arts Academy alongside the star power of Lang Lang on the stage of Hill Auditorium."
“Chicago Symphony is honored to welcome Interlochen Center for the Arts to Chicago Symphony Center as part of its historic centennial celebration in 2028,” said Chicago Symphony President Jeff Alexander. “Interlochen’s dedication to nurturing young artistic talent has shaped generations of world-class musicians, many of whom have graced our stage and performed within the ranks of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Hosting these exceptional students at Chicago Symphony Center highlights our shared commitment to musical excellence and inspiring the next generation of artists and audiences.”
“Interlochen’s centennial provides a wonderful opportunity to celebrate not only an extraordinary legacy of arts education, but also the future of the arts itself. The LA Phil is proud to partner in a project that brings together visionary artists, leading cultural institutions, and talented students from around the world,” said LA Phil President and CEO, David C. Bohnett Presidential Chair Kim Noltemy. “Their collective creativity embodies the values of connection and shared humanity that music uniquely inspires.”
“When I visited Interlochen, I found extraordinary talent, deep devotion, and an energy you could feel in every corner of the campus. It filled me with hope, and with the certainty that this piece has to come from the students: their thoughts, their dreams, and the future they imagine. It is an honor to be part of this amazing project, and I am deeply grateful,” said Assad.
“For over 100 years, Interlochen has educated and uplifted some of the most talented artists and creative minds in the world. In this extraordinary centennial celebration, music, theatre, dance, visual arts, creative writing, interdisciplinary arts, and film & new media converge in a breathtaking performance that amplifies the global transformative power of the arts. Collaboratively created by the students, and showcasing the brilliance of legendary pianist Lang Lang, it is a true joy and honor to work with Interlochen on this important milestone,” said Ozawa.
“For Interlochen’s centennial, I wanted to build something truly ambitious. Creating opportunities for young artists to develop their talents has always been a priority for me, and having Interlochen’s Arts Academy students perform a world premiere alongside Lang Lang and musicians from some of the nation’s leading orchestras offers them the chance to be part of an exceptional collaboration at the highest level. I am excited to bring this celebration to audiences in Michigan, Chicago, and Los Angeles,” said Măcelaru.
“I had a wonderful time performing with Interlochen’s talented young musicians for the first time last year. Their enthusiasm and energy were inspiring, and I’m delighted to join them on tour this time. These musicians represent the next generation, and it’s a joy to share in the beginning of their careers. I’m also excited to work with Cristian Măcelaru, whose exceptional musicianship will make this collaboration all the more special for everyone on stage and in the audience,” said Lang Lang.
As part of the tour, Interlochen faculty will visit Ann Arbor, Chicago, and Los Angeles to work with youth arts organizations. Select students associated with these youth arts organizations will be chosen to receive scholarships to attend Interlochen Arts Camp.
“These partnerships are one of the most exciting elements of our tour, extending the impact of this once-in-a-lifetime experience beyond our own students,” Devey said. “Just as creative leaders will inspire Academy students, our world-class faculty will bring fresh perspectives to young artists in these communities—energizing their creative practices for years to come. And thanks to the generous support of our donors, some of these talented students will have the opportunity to experience the magic of Interlochen for themselves, regardless of financial circumstances.”
The Academy’s 2028 tour is one of the culminating events of Interlochen’s centennial celebrations, a multi-year series of tours, performances, receptions, and special events in honor of Interlochen’s 100th anniversary. The celebrations officially launched in March 2026 with Imagine US: Celebrating America at 250, a three-city tour that included performances at Interlochen’s Corson Auditorium, Detroit’s Orchestra Hall, Philadelphia’s Marian Anderson Hall, and Boston’s Symphony Hall. Măcelaru, cellists Yo-Yo Ma and Tommy Mesa, and members of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, The Philadelphia Orchestra, and the Boston Symphony Orchestra performed side-by-side with students in a two-act production that featured the world premiere of a new cello concerto by Wynton Marsalis; Reena Esmail’s “RE|member”; a reimagined performance of Charles Ives’ Symphony No. 4; and multidisciplinary elements from all seven of Interlochen’s artistic disciplines under the creative direction of Diana Wyenn.
As with the 2028 tour, Imagine US offered opportunities to deepen relationships with creative youth development organizations in each city. Interlochen faculty held master classes at partner organizations across each of Interlochen’s seven artistic disciplines, while partnerships with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Philadelphia Orchestra, and Boston Symphony Orchestra enabled Interlochen to award $300,000 in scholarships for students from these communities to study at Interlochen Arts Camp.
About Lang Lang
Lang Lang is a leading figure in classical music today. As a pianist, educator, and philanthropist, he has become one of the world’s most influential and dedicated ambassadors for the arts in the 21st century. Equally at home performing for billions at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Opening Ceremony, the 2024 reopening of Notre-Dame de Paris, and the 2026 Milan Olympic Opening Ceremony, or for just a few hundred children in public schools, he is a master communicator through music.
Heralded by the New York Times as “the hottest artist on the classical music planet,” Lang Lang plays sold-out concerts all over the world. He has formed ongoing collaborations with conductors including Sir Simon Rattle, Gustavo Dudamel, Daniel Barenboim, and Christoph Eschenbach, and performs with all the world’s top orchestras. Lang Lang is known for thinking outside the box and frequently steps into different musical worlds. Millions of viewers watched his performances at the GRAMMY Awards with Metallica, Pharrell Williams, and jazz legend Herbie Hancock. He has also worked with global pop icons such as Ed Sheeran, John Legend, Rose from BLACKPINK, J Balvin, and Jay Chou bringing classical music to new and diverse audiences.
Lang Lang's passion for innovation has led him to exciting collaborations beyond classical music. A collaboration between François-Paul Journe and Lang Lang began in 2026, joining the pianist and the Geneva watchmaker in a shared commitment to craftsmanship and to championing young artists. That same year he began a partnership with Allianz across its markets in Asia, which includes masterclasses for the next generation of pianists.
For about a decade, Lang Lang has contributed to musical education worldwide. In 2008, he founded the Lang Lang International Music Foundation, aimed at cultivating tomorrow’s top pianists, championing music education at the forefront of technology, and building a young audience through live music experiences. In 2013, Lang Lang was designated by the Secretary-General of the United Nations as a Messenger of Peace, focusing on global education.
Lang Lang’s influence extends into the luxury world, where he is a Global Ambassador for Dior and Hennessy, and has partnered with Alicia Keys for a high-profile campaign with Hennessy. His unique blend of artistry and creativity also led him to design his limited-edition Steinway Black Diamond piano, debut the Steinway Spirio Cast to the world, and design the interior of a Bugatti car.
Lang Lang started playing the piano at age three and gave his first public recital before the age of five. At age nine, he entered Beijing’s Central Music Conservatory and won First Prize at the International Tchaikovsky Competition for Young Musicians at 13. He subsequently went to Philadelphia to study with legendary pianist Gary Graffman at the Curtis Institute of Music. He was seventeen when his big break came, substituting for André Watts at the Gala of the Century, playing Tchaikovsky’s First Piano Concerto with the Chicago Symphony under the baton of Christoph Eschenbach: he became an overnight sensation, and the invitations started to pour in.
Lang Lang’s boundless drive to attract new audiences to classical music has brought him tremendous recognition: he was presented with the 2010 Crystal Award in Davos and was picked as one of the 250 Young Global Leaders by the World Economic Forum. He is also the recipient of honorary doctorates from the Royal College of Music, the Manhattan School of Music, and New York University. Lang Lang has received many of the highest civilian honors awarded by countries around the world, including the Ministry of Culture of the People’s Republic of China, the Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany, and France’s Légion d'honneur. In 2016, Lang Lang was invited to the Vatican to perform for Pope Francis. He has also performed for numerous other international dignitaries, including four U.S. presidents and monarchs from many nations.
For further information visit https://www.langlangofficial.com and https://langlangfoundation.org/
About Cristian Măcelaru
Cristian Măcelaru is a GRAMMY® Award-winning conductor widely admired for a rare fusion of interpretive rigor, emotional intelligence, and generosity of spirit. Throughout his career, Măcelaru has demonstrated a profound commitment to strengthening cultural institutions, educating the next generation of artists, and forging meaningful bonds between music and community, while serving as an ambassador for the classical art form worldwide.
Măcelaru is Music Director of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and the Orchestre National de France, Artistic Director of the George Enescu Festival and Competition, Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the Interlochen Center for the Arts’ World Youth Symphony Orchestra, and Music Director and Conductor of the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music.
After an acclaimed inaugural season featuring multiple sold-out programs, Măcelaru leads an ambitious second season with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, featuring premieres by Errollyn Wallen and Mark Simpson, plus works by Jessie Montgomery, Steven Banks, and Eunike Tanzil—reflecting his lasting commitment to programming overlooked masterworks and championing the work of contemporary composers.
The 2026/27 season also marks his seventh and final season as Music Director of the Orchestre National de France, concluding his tenure by conducting the Concert de Paris at the foot of the Eiffel Tower. As Music Director, Măcelaru has greatly strengthened the orchestra’s artistic profile by focusing on signature French repertoire and expanding its international presence, conducting recordings of works by French composers including Ravel and the once overlooked Elsa Barraine.
Highlights of Măcelaru’s 2026/27 guest-conducting schedule include returns to Aspen Music Festival, Grafenegg Festival, the BBC Proms, Oslo Philharmonic, Dresden Philharmonic, NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra, WDR Sinfonieorchester, Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich, and San Francisco Symphony. Măcelaru also embarks on a tour with the Gustav Mahler Jugendorchester across Italy and Spain.
Măcelaru appears regularly with many of the world’s leading orchestras. In Europe, his collaborations have included the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Staatskapelle Berlin, Staatskapelle Dresden, Sinfonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks, Wiener Symphoniker, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Budapest Festival Orchestra, Münchner Philharmoniker, and Orchestra dell’Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia. In North America, he has conducted the New York Philharmonic, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, The Cleveland Orchestra, The Philadelphia Orchestra, and National Symphony Orchestra. His operatic work includes acclaimed productions at major houses, including Houston Grand Opera and Opera Națională București.
Across his titled roles, Măcelaru has consistently elevated artistic standards while expanding audience engagement. He led the ONF at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, before a global audience estimated at 1.5 billion people. A passionate champion of contemporary music, he has commissioned and premiered works by more than 52 composers, including Wynton Marsalis, Tan Dun, Gabriela Lena Frank, Jennifer Higdon, Jake Heggie, Nico Muhly, Sean Shepherd, and Gabriella Smith.
An accomplished recording artist, Măcelaru received a GRAMMY® Award for his Decca Classics recording of Wynton Marsalis’s Violin Concerto with Nicola Benedetti and The Philadelphia Orchestra. In addition to his recordings with the Orchestre National de France, his recent releases include George Enescu’s Symphonies Nos. 1–3 and Romanian Rhapsodies on Deutsche Grammophon, which won the Diapason d’Or of the Year. Upcoming releases include Mahler’s Symphony No. 2 with the Orchestre National de France on Naïve Records, and Bartók’s The Miraculous Mandarin and Concerto for Orchestra with the WDR Sinfonieorchester on Linn Records.
Born in Timișoara, Romania, Măcelaru moved to the United States at age 17 to attend Interlochen Arts Academy. He studied at the University of Miami and Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music, and further refined his craft at the Tanglewood Music Center and Aspen Music Festival. His international career gained early prominence when he stepped in for Pierre Boulez with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. He is a recipient of both the Solti Emerging Conductor Award and the Solti Conducting Award.
About Clarice Assad
“she energetically bends music to her will and reshapes it with fascinating results.” – Jazz Improv Magazine
Grammy Award–nominated Brazilian-American composer, pianist, and vocalist Clarice Assad is one of the most widely performed and commissioned voices in contemporary music today. Winner of the 2026 Andrew Imbrie Award from the American Academy of Arts and Letters and the 2025 Meier Achievement Award, she has created more than 130 works for institutions including Carnegie Hall, The Philadelphia Orchestra, and the LA Philharmonic. Her music has been recorded by Yo-Yo Ma, Dame Evelyn Glennie, and the Takács Quartet—whose world premiere of her string quartet NEXUS at Carnegie Hall’s Zankel Hall was celebrated by the New York Classical Review and featured in The Strad under the headline “Let’s Clarice It Up.” Her album Archetypes—recorded with her father, guitarist Sérgio Assad, and Third Coast Percussion—earned two Grammy nominations in 2022. As a performer, she has appeared at Carnegie Hall, the Concertgebouw, and Jazz at Lincoln Center, sharing stages with Bobby McFerrin and Paquito D’Rivera. Currently Composer-in-Residence with the Allentown Symphony and the Albany Symphony, Assad is also the creator of VOXploration, an acclaimed music education program presented worldwide. She is based in Chicago.
About Matthew Ozawa
Matthew Ozawa is a creative director, stage director, executive leader, artistic director, and educator who has firmly cemented himself as one of the preeminent creative forces in the opera world today. Ozawa was appointed as the Chief Artistic Officer at Lyric Opera of Chicago in 2022, a new role that oversees all of Lyric’s artists, artistic planning, and activities. As a stage director, Ozawa is known as a master storyteller, whose “strikingly spare productions” (New York Times) are “a vivid demonstration of what opera is all about” (Opera News). Passionate about collaborative interdisciplinary performance, new work, and reigniting classics through “framing [that] is ingenious” (New Yorker), Ozawa’s “stylish” and “intelligent” new productions recently include Wagner’s Parsifal (San Francisco Opera), Puccini’s Madama Butterfly (Lyric Opera of Chicago / Cincinnati Opera / Detroit Opera / Pittsburgh Opera / Utah Opera), Beethoven’s Fidelio (San Francisco Opera / Canadian Opera Company / Lyric Opera of Chicago), Gluck’s Orfeo (San Francisco Opera) and Gounod’s Romeo and Juliet (Minnesota Opera / Cincinnati Opera / Pittsburgh Opera / San Diego Opera / Kansas City Lyric Opera / San Antonio Opera). His productions have been seen at Brooklyn Academy of Music, San Francisco Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Canadian Opera Company, Santa Fe Opera, The Kennedy Center, and Carnegie Hall among many others. Committed to new and modern work, recent new production highlights include Huang Ruo’s Angel Island (BAM / Beth Morrison Projects), Ruo / Hwang’s An American Soldier (Opera Theatre of St. Louis), Perla / Murphy’s An American Dream (Lyric Opera of Chicago), Aucoin’s Second Nature (Lyric Opera of Chicago), and Hanlon / Fleischmann’s After The Storm (Houston Grand Opera).
About Laura Mittelstaedt
Laura Mittelstaedt has been a theater educator at Interlochen Center for the Arts for nineteen years. She is an Artistic Associate and founding member of the Interlochen Shakespeare Festival, where she directed the 2014 production of The Tempest and played numerous roles including Viola in Twelfth Night, Kate in The Taming of the Shrew and Emilia in Othello. Laura worked regionally with the Illinois Shakespeare Festival, Trinity Repertory Company, Providence, Rhode Island and Timeline Theatre, Chicago. She earned her Master of Fine Arts in Acting from Penn State University and her Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Performance from Rhode Island College. In her recent work, Laura established the Theatre for Young Audiences at Interlochen five years ago, adapting children’s books in conversation with the authors, and envisioning original Interlochen Arts Academy productions for local tours. She is currently directing Kuafu Chases the Sun and Other Chinese Legends. Laura was a collaborator for the Imagine US Tour, and is excited to be creating Interlochen’s 2028 tour with such esteemed artists.
About University Musical Society
A recipient of the 2014 National Medal of Arts, UMS (also known as the University Musical Society) contributes to a vibrant cultural community by connecting audiences with performing artists from around the world in uncommon and engaging experiences. One of the oldest performing arts presenters in the country and celebrating its 150th season in 2028/29, UMS is an independent non-profit organization based in Ann Arbor and affiliated with the University of Michigan. The organization presents dozens of music, theater, and dance performances by professional touring artists each season, along with many free public and private educational activities throughout Southeast Michigan. Since 1990, the organization has co-commissioned and supported the production of over 80 new or reimagined works. Matthew VanBesien became the organization's seventh president in July 2017.
About the Chicago Symphony
Chicago Symphony is a beacon of musical excellence and inspiration, both in Chicago and around the world. The organization stewards three acclaimed classical music ensembles, including the renowned Chicago Symphony Orchestra; presents a dynamic performance series with guest artists, and comprises an embedded music education institute. At Chicago Symphony, the legendary sound of the CSO meets the future of music, inviting everyone to experience and connect with the transformative power of live Performance.
The iconic Chicago Symphony Orchestra is the core ensemble, recognized worldwide for its artistic force and command of a deep, evolving repertoire. The CSO has been at the forefront of classical music since its founding in 1891, with a long history of introducing new compositions to the United States and the world. The CSO’s vitality continues to inspire music lovers with nearly 150 concerts annually, weekly syndicated radio broadcasts and a catalog of celebrated recordings.
About the LA Phil
The LA Phil offers live performances, media initiatives, and learning programs that inspire and strengthen communities in Los Angeles and beyond. The Los Angeles Philharmonic orchestra is the foundation of the LA Phil’s offerings, which also include a multi-genre, multidisciplinary presenting program and such youth development programs as YOLA (Youth Orchestra Los Angeles). Performances are offered across four historic venues—Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Hollywood Bowl, The Ford, and Beckmen YOLA Center—as well as through a variety of media platforms. In all its endeavors, the LA Phil seeks to enrich the lives of individuals and communities through musical, artistic and learning experiences that resonate in our world today.
About Interlochen Center for the Arts
The nonprofit Interlochen Center for the Arts is a recipient of the National Medal of Arts and the only organization in the world that brings together a 3,000-student summer camp program; a 550-plus-student fine arts boarding high school; a year-round source of expert online arts education for children, teens, and adults; opportunities for adults to engage in fulfilling artistic and creative programs; two 24-hour, listener-supported public radio services (classical music and news); more than 600 arts presentations annually by students, faculty, and world-renowned guest artists; a robust hospitality division that curates on-campus lodging, dining, and transportation services; and a global alumni base spanning nine decades, including leaders in the arts and all other endeavors. For information, visit Interlochen online at www.interlochen.org.