CLIBURN INTERNATIONAL AMATEUR PIANO COMPETITION HISTORY

Inaugurated in 1999, the Cliburn International Amateur Piano Competition is the first event of its kind in the United States. Hailed by the Boston Globe as “a celebration of music, and the people who have to make music no matter what,” it was established at the behest of the late Nela Rubinstein, wife of legendary pianist Arthur Rubinstein. The contest highlights the importance of music-making in everyday life and provides a forum for musicians age 35 and older who do not derive their primary source of income from playing or teaching piano. The competition brings together the finest amateur pianists from around the world for seven days of performances, symposia, and social events.

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WINNERS

EIGHTH COMPETITION
October 12-18, 2022

SEVENTH COMPETITION
June 19-25, 2016

Richard Rodzinski First Prize Award
Thomas Yu (Periodontist, Canada)

Second Prize
Michael Slavin (Ophthalmologist (ret.), United States)

Third Prize
Xavier Aymonod (Strategy Consultant, France)

Press Jury Award
Thomas Yu (Periodontist, Canada)

Audience Award
Thomas Yu (Periodontist, Canada)

Best Performance of a Work from the Baroque Era
Clark Vann Griffith (Database Programmer (ret.), United States)

Best Performance of a Work from the Classical Era
Ken Iisaka (Software Engineer, Japan/Canada)

Best Performance of a Work from the Romantic Era
Matthias Fischer (Physician, Germany)

Best Performance of a Post-Romantic Work
Jasmin Tiodang (Stay-at-Home Mother, Indonesia)

Creative Programming Award
Gregory Knight (Software Engineer, United States)

Jury Discretionary Awards
Deirbhile Brennan (Accountant, Ireland)
Lana Marina (Stay-at-Home Mother, United States)

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SIXTH COMPETITION
May 23–May 29, 2011

Richard Rodzinski First Prize Award
Christopher Shih (Physician, USA)

Second Prize
Clark Griffith (Database Programmer (ret.), USA)

Third Prize
Barry Coutinho (Family Physician, USA)

Press Jury Award
Jane Gibson King (Homemaker, USA)

Audience Award
Christopher Shih

Best Performance of a Work from the Baroque Era
Clark Griffith

Best Performance of a Work from the Classical Era
Jun Fujimoto (Piano Marketing Specialist, USA)

Best Performance of a Work from the Romantic Era
Christopher Shih

Best Performance of a Post-Romantic Work
Barry Coutinho

Most Creative Programming Award
Clark Griffith

Jury Discretionary Awards
Leslie Myrick (Hospital Administrator (ret.), Canada)
David Hibbard (Railroad Manager (ret.), USA)

Fort Worth Piano Teachers Forum Award
Clark Griffith

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FIFTH COMPETITION
May 28–June 3, 2007

Richard Rodzinski First Prize Award
Drew Mays (Ophthalmologist, USA)

Second Prize
Mark Fuller (Attorney, USA)

Third Prize
Clark Griffith (Composer/Retired Internet Technology Administrator, USA)

Press Jury Award
Mark Fuller

Audience Award
Drew Mays

Best Performance of a Work from the Baroque Era
Clark Griffith

Best Performance of a Work from the Classical Era
Franz Mantini (Electrical Engineer, USA)

Best Performance of a Work from the Romantic Era
Drew Mays

Best Performance of a Post-Romantic Work
Mark Fuller

Most Creative Programming Award
Esfir Ross (Dental Assistant, USA)

Jury Discretionary Awards
Thomas Maurice (Network Administrator, Canada)
Kent Lietzau (Aerospace and Defense Industry Executive, USA)

Fort Worth Piano Teachers Forum Award
David Hibbard (Retired Railroad Manager, USA)

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FOURTH COMPETITION
May 31–June 5, 2004

First Prize
Paul Anthony Romero (Composer and Porcelain Dealer, USA)

Second Prize
Averill Piers Baker (Legal Volunteer, Canada)

Third Prize
Ann Herlong (Homemaker, USA)

Press Jury Award
Paul Anthony Romero

Audience Award
Paul Anthony Romero

Best Performance of a Work from the Baroque Era
Ann Herlong

Best Performance of a Work from the Classical Era
Hiroko Ohtani (Physical Chemist, Japan [U.S. Resident])

Best Performance of a Work from the Romantic Era
Paul Anthony Romero

Best Performance of a Modern Work
Miho Yamada Fisher (Medical Researcher, Japan [U.S. Resident])

Most Creative Programming Award
Darin Tysdal (Music Store Co-manager, USA)

Jury Discretionary Awards
Miho Yamada Fisher
Franz Josef Mantini (Electrical Engineer, USA)

Special Recognition Awards
Dale L. Backus (Mechanical Engineer, USA)
Greg Fisher (Computer Programmer and Web Designer, USA)

Fort Worth Piano Teachers Forum Award
Stephen Fierros (Information Systems Advisor, USA)

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THIRD COMPETITION
June 3–8, 2002

First Prize
Victoria Bragin (Professor of Chemistry, USA)
Michael Hawley (Director of Special Projects, MIT, USA)

Second Prize
Paul Romero (CD-ROM Game Composer, USA)

Third Prize
Not awarded

Press Jury Award
Michael Hawley

Audience Award
Victoria Bragin

Best Performance of a Work from the Baroque Era
Ellen Dodson (Business Consultant, USA)

Best Performance of a Work from the Classical Era
Charles Chien (Flight Attendant Purser, USA)

Best Performance of a Work from the Romantic Era
Victoria Bragin

Best Performance of a Modern Work
Victoria Bragin

Most Creative Programming Award
Michael Hawley

Jury Discretionary Awards
Charles Chien
Henri Delbeau (Doctor of Internal Medicine, USA)
Debra Saylor (Sales Associate, USA)

Special Recognition Awards
Miho Fisher (Retired Cardiologist, Japan, [U.S. Resident])
Mark Horowitz (Cantor and Educator, USA)
Yat-Lam Hong (Piano Technician, USA)

Fort Worth Piano Teachers Forum Award
Karen Bush Purpero (Missionary, USA)

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SECOND COMPETITION
June 5–10, 2000

First Prize
Christopher Basso (Assistant Store Manager, USA)

Second Prize
Steven Ryan (Computer Consultant, USA)

Third Prize
Debra Saylor (Private Voice Instructor, USA)

Press Jury Award
Christopher Basso

Audience Award
Christopher Basso

Best Performance of a Work from the Baroque Era
Christopher Basso

Best Performance of a Work from the Classical Era
Steven Ryan

Best Performance of a Work from the Romantic Era
Debra Saylor

Best Performance of a Modern Work
Christopher Basso

Most Creative Programming Award
Michael Hawley (Professor of Media Technology, USA)

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FIRST COMPETITION
June 9–13, 1999

Jury Award
Joel Holoubeck (Numismatist, France)

Press Jury Award
Joel Holoubeck

Audience Award
Alexandre Bodak (Physician, France)