THE CLIBURN JUNIOR VISION
The Cliburn’s mission is to advance classical piano music throughout the world. Around the globe, the organization is well known as the producer of the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, considered one of the top contests of its kind in the world. That stature, reputation, and effectiveness was achieved and continues to grow because of an unfailing commitment to excellence; continuous innovation that builds on experience and expertise and utilizes the newest tools of the day; and an undying, deep love of exceptional artists.
Over the more than 60 years of the Cliburn’s existence, that trajectory of advancement led to the addition of a host of other programs, from education initiatives and concert series to an international piano competition for the world’s best amateur pianists.
Then, in 2015, another major expansion: the Cliburn International Junior Piano Competition and Festival. Why? Becoming a top-notch pianist in your 20s doesn’t happen overnight. The participants of the Cliburn Competition have lived many years of great dedication, inspiration, and challenge before they earn their spots to play on one of classical music’s most prominent stages, before they’re ready to compete for their chance at a performance career. As teenagers, they are already extremely good musicians, and they are at a pivotal time in their development as pianists and as people.
The Cliburn’s expertise and world standing makes it uniquely suited to aid in that development. This was the basis for the Junior Competition and Festival: to encourage tomorrow’s great artists, to provide a valuable forum for them to express themselves, and to give them an entrance to the next step of their journeys. Upon its announcement, the event was already believed to be the best amongst its peers. The Cliburn would bring the same commitment to excellence that the professional competition is known for, but to realize the specific goals of this new event.
The competition element is an important piece that allows the top 13- to 17-year-old pianists to measure themselves against others who share their gifts and dedication, in front of a panel of truly esteemed jurors. And the high-quality webcast showcases their musical vision to a large international audience.
But the active festival portion is just as, if not more, beneficial to the musicians joining us in Dallas. The Cliburn taps its vast network of artists and teachers to bring in a wide swath of experts for masterclasses, artist conversations, and performance discussions. A series of small group workshops led by industry specialists take participants through topics such as stagecraft, personal branding, conservatory and college admissions, and career pathways. And a number of community concerts provide valuable performance experience.
Perhaps the most valuable takeaway from past participants is the long-lasting, meaningful relationships that they formed at the Cliburn Junior. When you bring together 38 extraordinary young people—24 competitors plus 14 additional festival artists—what results is, of course, extraordinary: no matter where they are from in the world or what their experiences have been, they have a deep camaraderie that transcends any perceived differences. They learn so much from each other over the course of this two-week, high-intensity, super high-level piano camp of sorts. They also room together in dorms, go to Six Flags, have sightreading parties, and just get to be teenagers together. They find connection in a world, age, and time that can create such isolation—especially for those spending so much time alone in practice rooms in pursuit of their art.
The Cliburn Junior has a special sauce. It has a magic. For the artists, and for all fortunate enough to experience it.
THIRD COMPETITION
June 8–17, 2023
Caruth Auditorium at SMU & Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center
Dallas, Texas USA
WINNERS
Bernice Gressman Meyerson First Prize
Seokyoung Hong 홍석영, 15, South Korea
Shirley Cox McIntyre Second Prize
Yifan Wu 吴一凡, 14, China
The Horchow Family Third Prize
Jan Schulmeister, 16, Czechia
Audience Award
Seokyoung Hong 홍석영, 15, South Korea
SECOND COMPETITION
May 31–June 8, 2019
Caruth Auditorium at SMU & Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center
Dallas, Texas USA
WINNERS
Bernice Gressman Meyerson First Prize
Shuan Hern Lee, Australia, 16
Shirley Cox McIntyre Second Prize
Eva Gevorgyan, Russia/Armenia, 15
The Horchow Family Third Prize
JiWon Yang, South Korea, 17
Audience Award
Avery Gagliano, United States, 17
Peer Award
J J Jun Li Bui, Canada, 14
Press Award,
Eva Gevorgyan, Russia/Armenia, 15
FIRST COMPETITION
June 21–28, 2015
PepsiCo Recital Hall and Ed Landreth Auditorium, TCU
Fort Worth, Texas USA
WINNERS
First Prize
Alim Beisembayev, Kazakhstan, 17
Second Prize
Arsenii Mun, Russia, 16
Third Prize
Youlan Ji, China, 16
Audience Award
Misha Galant, USA, 17
Best Performance of a Classical Sonata
Misha Galant, USA, 17
Best Performance of a Lyrical Work
Adam Balogh, Hungary, 17
Jury Discretionary Awards
Clayton Stephenson, USA, 16
Tony Yike Yang, Canada, 16
