2017 Cliburn Silver Medalist

American pianist Kenny Broberg continues to build a reputation for “blazing intellect, impeccable technical skills, and the ability to build a strikingly imaginative and intelligent program.” His fresh interpretations are complemented by a natural, honest stage presence and “an almost miraculous array of tone qualities” (Theater Jones). The Minneapolis native first came to international attention when he captured the silver medal at the 2017 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition; he followed this with a bronze medal win at the 2019 International Tchaikovsky Competition, adding to his numerous competition prizes at the Hastings, Sydney, Seattle, and New Orleans International Piano Competitions.

He has appeared with the Royal Philharmonic, Minnesota, Sydney, Seattle, and Fort Worth Symphony Orchestras, working with conductors Ludovic Morlot, Leonard Slatkin, Nicholas Milton, Nicholas McGegan, Kent Nagano, Vasily Petrenko, and Stilian Kirov. Recent and upcoming recital tours include his debuts in China and Japan, as well as across Australia and the United States. Universal Music Australia and Decca Gold have released albums featuring his live performances.

The first musician in his family, Kenny started piano lessons at age 6, when he was first fascinated by his mother’s upright—a wedding gift from her parents. He studied for nine years with Dr. Joseph Zins before entering the University of Houston’s Moores School of Music, where he earned a Bachelor of Music with Nancy Weems. He currently studies with 2001 Cliburn Gold Medalist Stanislav Ioudenitch at Park University. Alongside his teachers, he is influenced by the recordings of Alfred Cortot, William Kapell, and Claudio Arrau.