[27 May 2014, Hong Kong] The Lin Yao Ji Music Foundation of China is pleased to enter into a long term relationship with the Verbier Festival.

The Verbier Festival is one of the most respected summer institutions for advanced string players. It provides a hugely enriching environment where students can polish their skills and enhance their musicianship, as well as gain exposure to world-class faculty and concert artists in close proximity. Intensive coaching, rehearsals and performances in both solo and chamber music works take place daily amongst a tight-knit community, and in front of a supportive and enthusiastic audience, all set against the beautiful backdrop of the Swiss Alps.

Despite the highly selective nature of the Festival, a growing number of exceptionally talented Chinese students have been admitted in recent years. In recognition of the huge potential amongst Chinese musicians, the Verbier Festival has begun propagating the Festival and the summer academy in major cities in China since last year, and will operate a satellite chamber music program based in the Temple Hotel in Beijing this fall.

The Lin Yao Ji Music Foundation of China and the Verbier Festival share a common belief in the potential of Chinese string players. Both are committed to providing the best learning opportunities that come with an immersion program similar to the type for which the Festival is renowned for. The Foundation will provide one to two scholarships each year to qualified candidates who are residents of China (including Hong Kong and Macau) to attend the Verbier Festival.

“I am delighted that the Verbier Festival and the Lin Yao Ji Music Foundation of China are beginning a new collaboration,” said Martin Engstroem, the Festivals Founder and Executive Director. “Our Festival is committed to nurturing the next generation of young musicians through our Academy and our Orchestra. We are a truly international organisation and so it is important for us to identify the very best young musicians from all over the world, and especially in China.  Through this partnership, we now have the possibility to give some extraordinary Chinese artists unique musical summers in Verbier which they will never forget.”