Cliburn International Amateur Piano Competition
Inaugurated in 1999, the Cliburn International Amateur Piano Competition was 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;” the contest highlighted the importance of music-making in everyday life and provides a forum for musicians age 35 and older who do not perform, teach, or compose piano music for their primary professional pursuit or financial benefit. The competition brought together the best amateur pianists from around the world for seven days of performances, symposia, and social events.
After more than 25 years, the Cliburn International Amateur Piano Competition has been retired. When it was launched the Cliburn Amateur was the first and only such event in the United States; our goal was to offer a gathering place and platform for serious non-professional pianists from around the world, encourage learning at the highest levels, and develop fellowship. Since then, the community of amateur pianists has flourished, and many major competitions and festivals now offer joyful places for amateur pianists to connect, develop their musicianship, and showcase their work.
CLIBURN AMATEUR AWARD WINNERS
EIGHTH COMPETITION
October 12–18, 2022
Van Cliburn Recital Hall & Bass Performance Hall
Fort Worth, Texas USA
WINNERS
The Richard Rodzinski First Prize
Jon Lee (Software Engineer, 41, United States)
Second Prize
Michael Slavin (Neuro-Ophthalmologist (retired), 71, United States)
Third Prize
Xavier Aymonod (Marketing Director – Public Transportation, 46, France)
Jury Discretionary Award
Deirbhile Brennan (Accountant, 53, Ireland)
Jury Discretionary Award
Sean Sutherland (Product Manager, 45, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines/Canada)
Jury Discretionary Award
Noah DeGarmo (Physician, 44, United States)
Audience Award
Masanori Murakami (Clinical Project Manager, 38, Japan)
SEVENTH COMPETITION
June 19–25, 2016
Van Cliburn Recital Hall & Bass Performance Hall
Fort Worth, Texas USA
WINNERS
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)
SIXTH COMPETITION
May 23–29, 2011
Ed Landreth Auditorium, TCU
Fort Worth, Texas USA
WINNERS
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
FIFTH COMPETITION
May 28–June 3, 2007
Ed Landreth Auditorium, TCU
Fort Worth, Texas USA
WINNERS
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)
FOURTH COMPETITION
May 31–June 5, 2004
Ed Landreth Auditorium, TCU
Fort Worth, Texas USA
WINNERS
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)
THIRD COMPETITION
June 3–8, 2002
Ed Landreth Auditorium, TCU
Fort Worth, Texas USA
WINNERS
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)
SECOND COMPETITION
June 5–10, 2000
Ed Landreth Auditorium, TCU
Fort Worth, Texas USA
WINNERS
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)
FIRST COMPETITION
June 9–13, 1999
Ed Landreth Auditorium, TCU
Fort Worth, Texas USA
WINNERS
Jury Award
Joel Holoubeck (Numismatist, France)
Press Jury Award
Joel Holoubeck
Audience Award
Alexandre Bodak (Physician, France)
