TONG WANG shares the magic of music with Airdrie — and the world.
As a professional concert pianist, Wang has travelled the planet, sharing her musical talents while remaining connected to the city she calls home.
Originally from Langfang, China, Wang and her family settled in Airdrie, where she found a strong sense of belonging.
“Airdrie felt like home,” says Wang.
“And, in particular, I could sense a warmth of the community, of the people, how open and friendly everyone is. I also fell in love with the land, the sunsets, the sense of space and openness. I saw the desire of the community for more spaces to come together and connect and wanted to serve that need for everyone to access the highest calibre of classical music.”
Her love for Airdrie inspired her to create the Windwood Music Festival in 2022. Through the festival, she not only brings exceptional performances to local venues like schools, senior homes, parks and breweries, but also attracts international musicians from around the globe to collaborate and share their talents with the community.
Wang is also a music educator at McGill University, where she has mentored and inspired countless students.
Nominator Heather Spearman says Wang is an inspiration and “not only shares beautiful music with Airdrie, but shares Airdrie with the world.”