Piano protégé George, 15, from Fen Ditton, performs at Royal Albert Hall, London with mentor and classical superstar Lang Lang

George Harliono, 15 years old from Fen Ditton, (Image: Archant)

George Harliono, who started playing the piano aged six, joined his classical superstar mentor Lang Lang onstage at the Royal Albert Hall in London.

The one-off £5 concert was part of the Hall’s Education and Outreach programme in which Lang Lang hosted a sell-out special educational concert.

He invited George, who is studying at the Royal Academy of Music, to join him during the Exploring the Piano with Lang Lang and Friends concert.

George Harliono, 15 years old from Fen Ditton, (Image: Archant)

Aged nine George was invited to perform his first hour-long solo recital, and since then has performed in numerous locations both in the UK and Europe, including Wigmore Hall and two performances at the Royal Festival Hall.

He has won many UK and internationally-renowned awards and recently completed his debut solo recording at The South Bank.

George said he has made some good friends through the Lang Lang Foundation.

“Being a pianist can be quite a solitary thing and getting together with other pianists is really enjoyable and also makes you realise there are other people who love music as much as I do.

“Lang Lang makes music fun and interesting. To me, he is like a classical pop star; a real inspiration of who you can be if you really love to perform. I love the way he breaks the rules sometimes.”

George said it was a great honour to perform at the Royal Albert Hall with his mentor.

“I am still in shock about being asked to perform with him.

“The fact that he remembered me shows what a caring and down to earth person he is.

“It took me about a week after I was told about the concert before I really believed it was going to happen, at first I thought my mum was joking with me, I always watch the Proms on TV but I never thought I would actually be chosen to perform here myself.”