Maksim Mrvica, a Croatian pianist whose musical passion was sparked after catching a glimpse of a piano at his best friend’s house when he was eight years old, inspired Korean children with disabilities with music lessons.

The renowned classical-pop crossover pianist participated in mentoring classes with disabled children at Pony Chung Hall in southern Seoul on Tuesday.

“All children should be surrounded in an environment full of love and support,” said Mrvica in a statement released by his agency. In particular, children with disabilities can overcome the difficulties and prejudices that they may face, and gain confidence to realize their hopes and dreams through music, he said. 

“I would like to thank Maksim Mrvica for his genuine intentions,” said Na Kyung-won, president of Share the Love: We Can, an organization that offers mentoring programs for the disabled. The former lawmaker expressed further appreciation for Mrvica’s participation in the special lessons.

This is the first time that Mrvica has participated the music mentoring program. “Partaking in the Super Mentoring Class for the disabled was very emotional. I’m very proud to have participated in this event.”

Mrvica is in Korea for nine days, during which time he will perform at the Paju Booksori Festival on Thursday and at the DMZ International Documentary Film Festival on Friday.

By Julie Jackson (juliejackson@heraldcorp.com)