At the heart of Chiang Mai Music Festival 2008 is the Young Pianists Program and its companion initiative, the Young Musicians' Development Program. In Seoul, Korea Professor Tong-Il Han focuses his attention on mentoring a highly accomplished group of young pianists, ranging in age from middle school grades through university.

These emerging artists and teachers constitute the members of the Young Pianists Program. Professor Han and his colleagues will teach local Chiang Mai students as part of the ongoing Young Musicians' Development Program. The goal is to support local efforts, to engage in mutual exchange concerning musical education as well as education for youth that contributes to goal-setting, striving, aspiring, excellence, and realizing one's legitimate dreams. The Young Pianists Program under Professor Han along with his visiting colleagues will engage in several educational Musical conversations and recitals in numerous Chiang Mai schools in February 2008.