Rescue Music Foundation is a non-profit organization founded by Charlie Liu, one of the top junior pianists in the world. Its main purpose is to help young musicians give back to their communities with their talent and efforts. The Foundation does that by providing financial and advisory assistance to creating fundraising concerts by young musicians in various states and communities. The funds raised in those concerts will go to select community service/nonprofit organizations with urgent needs, such as volunteer Rescue Squads, Children’s Hospitals etc.
From Founder Charlie Liu:
“I have been taking part in benefit events since age 7 using my music to help, and initiated multiple charity events later, including 3 benefit solo recitals in 2010, 2014, and 2017. After my 2014 benefit solo recital where I raised $2500+ for the Plainsboro Rescue Squad, an all volunteer organization providing a critical health service to the local communities, I realized two things: 1. Many community organizations could use more help. 2. I myself alone have limited impact. This is why I thought of creating the Rescue Music Foundation. It will try to use my recitals as a model, and have many more young musicians join in and create more such concerts to give back to their communities. I will fund-raise for my Foundation, which will in turn help fund the future concerts. The funds raised from those concerts can help more Rescue Squads, the motivation helps other young musicians develop and improve, and the communities get help while being exposed to more beautiful music – Rescue Music Foundation helps “rescue” music and organizations like Rescue Squads.”
Grace Wang
President
Grace Wang, a senior at Phillips Academy, studies piano at the New England Conservatory Preparatory School. She has won the first place and the audience prizes at the Glory Int’l Piano Competition and first prize at Rising Talents of the World in the Great Composers Competition. She has also been awarded first prize at American Protégé Talent competition, first prize at American Fine Arts Festival Golden Era of Romantic Music International Competition, first place at Piano Teacher’s Congress of New York Honors Program, first prize with a perfect score at the Crescendo International Music Competition, two gold awards at the IMPACT Young Artists Competition, and top prizes for ENKOR, NJMTA, Greater Princeton Steinway, Future Stars International Piano Competition. Grace has performed at Carnegie Hall, Merkin Hall, and Lincoln Center.
Along with piano, Grace enjoys filmmaking, reading, and sleeping.
Grace’s Performances:
Mozart Sonata K 333 I. Allegro & Liszt Hungarian Rhapsody No. 8
Liszt Consolation No. 3 in D-Flat Major, S 172
William Liu
Vice President
Hi! I’m William Liu. I’m 13 years old and an 8th grader at Thomas Grover Middle School in Plainsboro. My brother Charlie founded the Rescue Music Foundation after I was taken to the hospital by the Plainsboro Rescue Squad, who helped me get the treatment I needed in time. Because they were a volunteer organization that needs help themselves too, we decided to try to help not just the Plainsboro Rescue Squad but other charitable/volunteer organizations that serve the location communities. Using music, we were able to raise money to help their causes. My brother gave the benefit recitals, and I helped with the concerts and even played a duet with him. I also enjoy performing for local senior centers and helping educating younger students about science topics. I love drawing and once collaborated with Charlie on a Charlliam Fantasy animation video to help make classical music more fun. I also like tennis, science and video games.
Alyssa Xu
Vice President
Alyssa Xu is a 15 year sophomore at High School North in New Jersey. She started to take piano lessons with Dr. Zhong Chen when she was about 6 and after moving to New Jersey in 2017, started studying piano under Professor Ingrid Clarfield. Alyssa is very thankful to her teachers and the guidance that she has received from them, which has helped shape her into the pianist she is today.
She has won a series of piano competitions, such as Second Prize at XI Chopin International Piano Competition in Hartford, First Place at Sixth Camerata Artists International Competition, Second Prize at III and IV Future Stars International Piano Competition, First Prize at 2019 VIVO International Music Competition, Alternate at 2019 MTNA (NJ) Student Performance Competitions, and Second Prize at 2019 Enkor International Piano. She has performed at prestigious venues including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Kaufman Music Center, and Victoria theater of New Jersey.
Alyssa is also passionate about helping others. She has dedicated herself in the last three years to co-organize Performathon for CHOP – an annual benefit concert held to raise funds for the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Alyssa has played in benefit concerts in support of wonderful causes such as Homefront and a teacher fighting cancer.
In her free time, Alyssa likes to read Webtoons and play video games.
Jennifer Liu
Alumni
Jennifer Liu, 17, is a senior at Montgomery High School. She began piano lessons at age four and currently studies with Professor Ingrid Clarfield.
Jennifer has been awarded first prize in the Gershwin Young Artist Competition, VIVO International Music Competition, Forte International Music Competition, American Protégé International Music Competition along with the Judge’s Distinction award, NJMTA Composers Competition, and many more. She has also placed in the Westchester Pre-Collegiate Piano Competition, Piano Teachers Congress of New York Honors Program, Hartford International Chopin Competition, AMTL Young Musicians Competition, Future Stars International Piano Competition, ENKOR International Piano Competition, as well as the NJMTA Young Musicians Competition. Jennifer made her concerto debut at the Killian Hall of MIT, and has performed numerous times at Carnegie Weill Recital Hall and many other musical halls.
Jennifer is also committed to using her music to help the community. She has actively performed for fundraising events and other community outreach programs. She is the Secretary of Montgomery Young Musicians for Volunteer Action, where she organizes concerts for senior homes. Additionally, she teaches piano to children in her community to raise money to fund music programs at underprivileged schools.
Besides piano, Jennifer plays the acoustic and electric guitar. She also enjoys drawing and painting, photography, and reading. She likes to travel and watch cartoons.
Jennifer’s Performances:
Jennifer Liu Piano: Sonata in C Major, Op 53 I Allegro con Brio. Ludwig van Beethoven
Jennifer Liu Piano: Hungarian Rhapsody No 2 in C Sharp Minor. Franz Liszt