Lang Lang is a global superstar of classical music, known for his flamboyant performance style and staggering technical ability. He shot to fame in 1999 after a last-minute substitution at the 'Gala of the Century' at the Ravinia Festival. Since then, he has performed for presidents, popes, and billions of viewers at the Beijing Olympics opening ceremony. Lang Lang is credited with the 'Lang Lang effect'—the massive surge in piano study among youth in China. While some critics find his stage movements excessive, his impact on the popularity of classical music in the 21st century is unrivaled. He is a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and has dedicated much of his career to music education through the Lang Lang International Music Foundation.