Double bassist LonFon Law is no stranger to the stage. He is most comfortable behind his chosen instrument, as he explains this is how he communicates with the world in a meaningful way. However, what makes the musician remarkable is that he wants to use his talent to impact the world, through bringing classical music into the heart of communities, to facilitate a new means of communication which people of all nations can relate to.
On January 19, 2025, he performed with the New Jersey Symphony Youth Orchestra in concert. Each week, he joins the orchestra to rehearse and mentor the gifted musicians, particularly the bassists.
“For these students, it’s meaningful to rehearse and perform alongside professional musicians like me,” he explains. “In some ensembles, there aren’t even bass students due to the rarity of my instrument. My role is especially important in helping them experience the full range and depth of what classical music is meant to sound like.”
He says that it brings him much joy to be able to share his experience with them, and be a part of their growth, helping them to develop valuable life skills and a strong mindset.
A musician to be reckoned with
LonFon has earned numerous prestigious accolades throughout his career. Recently, he starred in the world premiere of Beauty and the Beast by Grammy-winning composer Joan Tower, an honor extended by the Royal Academy of Music. As an internationally acclaimed soloist, he regularly performs solo recitals and has won notable awards, including the T&G Martin Special Award at the International J.M. Sperger Competition, first place in the Bass 2018 LUCCA- the 6th European Biennale Double Bass Congress and Festival Competition (16–18 years category), and winner of the RAM Alex Ross Double Bass Prize.
As a collaborative musician, he has performed with esteemed ensembles such as the London Symphony Orchestra, English National Opera, and now the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra. Additionally, he frequently tours worldwide with Musicus Soloists Hong Kong. He has served as Guest Performer at the ‘Vision Possible Virtuosi’ Charity Concerts and performed solo recitals at Lincoln Center’s Paul Hall in New York City, New York.
“With a bit of talent and a lot of hard work, I’ve managed to achieve straight out of school what many spend decades striving for,” he reflects.
From shadows to spotlight
It may come as a surprise that he comes from a completely non-musical background. Growing up in the bustling city of Hong Kong, he had no significant connections to the music industry. What he did have, however, was a deep passion for music and an early realization that it could forge connections with the world in ways nothing else could.
He recalls discovering that music provided him with a unique ability to connect with others—instantly and even across great distances. It is this transformative power of music that he aims to share with those he mentors.
As part of his outreach efforts, he serves as Coach for the New Jersey Symphony Youth Orchestra, a Teaching Artist at the NYC Department of Education Bronx Summer String Camp, and a Guest Artist with the Juilliard Extension Division. He also starred in the London Symphony Orchestra’s Family Concert: The Disappearance of Doctor Copernicus in 2022 and has been selected as a judge for the 2024- 2025 Sphinx Orchestral Partners Auditions Excerpt Competition.
Trained for greatness
LonFon attended the Royal Academy of Music and later the Juilliard School, where his tuition and living expenses were generously covered by the renowned London Symphony Orchestra’s Conservatoire Scholarship.
Remarkably, he secured a tenured position with the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra—a feat that typically takes musicians years of auditioning to achieve. Additionally, he has earned awards in some of the most prestigious professional competitions for his instrument.
“Throughout my career, I’ve sought to explore music as a profound medium of connection and communication,” he explains. “Orchestras allow me to reach vast audiences, which is always an incredible experience. At the same time, I’m equally passionate about more intimate forms of expression, whether through smaller-scale solo performances or through community outreach, where I bring my art directly to people.”
He cites his performance in the world premiere of Beauty and the Beast in 2022 as a career highlight. “Right now, being able to support myself doing what I love, I’m focused on expanding my work as a soloist while continuing to share the music I cherish with broader audiences through outreach.”
Lifting up others to reach their dreams
His passion for helping others navigate the music industry stems from his own personal challenges. “Being a foreign national since I was 18, in every place I’ve traveled, has undoubtedly been my biggest obstacle. I’ve had to be very focused on my goals, using my time and resources with utmost efficiency to achieve them.”
Despite these hurdles, he earned a place at the prestigious Juilliard School and triumphed in his first professional audition, securing a spot with the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra. “My circumstances also brought me wisdom and courage,” he reflects on the determination that drove him to succeed, not only as a member of the New Jersey Symphony but in his entire career. He aims to pass on the unique bravery he gained through taking a leap of faith. For him, that leap meant leaving everything behind and coming to America to pursue his dreams.