NEW YORK, July 22 (Xinhua) -- The Sound of Manhattan (SOM) International Music Festival & Competition, founded by Chinese-American concert pianist Diyi Tang, will be held here its 3rd gala concert from July 29 to August 5 with the aim of inspiring young musicians to pursue a life in music.

It is a once-in-a-life time "East meets West" concert experience for young musicians from all parts of the world to perform with established musicians at some of the most celebrated concert venues in New York City," according to the music festival's official website.

In the past five years, many young talents have grown better or stronger through SOM, either initiating their own professional careers or getting admitted to top music schools and Ivy League colleges, Tang was quoted on Sunday as telling major Mandarin daily newspaper The China Press.

This year's festival features competitions and over 40 hours of masterclasses and private lessons with world-renowned faculties from prestigious schools in New York City.

All participants will be given an opportunity to perform in the Turtle Bay Music school Concert Hall on August 3; all winners from the SOM Competition (August 4) will perform at Adelphi University Performing Arts Center on August 5.

"Aiming to inspire young musicians to pursue a life in music, SOM offers a unique program for young artists to train and work with renowned professionals from top schools in the United States, including The Juilliard School, Curtis Institute of Music, Mannes College of Music, Manhattan school of Music, and Columbia University," said its website.

Hailed as "Vibrantly Musical" and "Striking Performance" by New York Concert Review, Tang is established as one of the leading artists of his native China and his talent is becoming recognized in United States.

Born into a musical family, Tang was the youngest pianist from China to win the top prize at Chopin International Piano Competition in Moscow.

Tang made his Lincoln Center debut in Alice Tully Hall with the Mannes Orchestra, playing Chopin E Minor Piano Concerto.

He had also performed as a guest soloist with Moscow Symphony, Orchestra National de Lyon, Beijing Symphony, and Shanghai Symphony.

He established his own Tang Institute for Musical Excellence International and started to run the SOM festival in 2013.