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March 11 through 21, the Cliburn presents one of its popular education programs, "What Makes A Hero?," in free concerts around Fort Worth, Dallas, and Weatherford in partnership with local parks and public libraries.

In Honggi Kim’s childhood home in Wonju, his sister played an electric keyboard; his parents then encouraged him to start learning the instrument after he played the same pieces she did, on his own, by ear. During his middle school years at art school in Seoul, he also studied composition, which he credits with deepening his understanding of music and its logic, so that he could develop his own interpretations.

Gabriela Montero’s visionary interpretations and unique compositional gifts have garnered her critical acclaim and a devoted following on the world stage. Anthony Tommasini remarked in The New York Times that “Montero’s playing had everything: crackling rhythmic brio, subtle shadings, steely power…soulful lyricism…unsentimental expressivity.”

Information for arts presenters on booking 2025 Cliburn Winners

Bring your family and friends for a free interactive, educational concert! In this season of Cliburn Kids on the Road, our artists present “What Makes A Hero,” a program that celebrates music with your favorite heroes.

Enjoy Family Photo Ops in a Halloween photo booth and free candy and snacks as the lights of the Singing Trees synchronize the Spooky Sounds of Cliburn in the Community.

Born in Perth, Australia, Shuan Hern Lee started taking piano, vocal, music theory, and composition lessons with his father, Yoon Sen Lee, when he was 2½ years old. His childhood home was filled with music at all hours of the day, as both parents taught piano.

Info for Educators

The streaming channel of one of the world's best-known concert venues, Carnegie Hall+ will offer Cliburn documentaries, curated collections from past Cliburn winners, and performances from the upcoming Seventeenth Competition, taking place May 21–June 7, 2025, at Van Cliburn Concert Hall at TCU and Bass Performance Hall.

Now in his third decade of touring worldwide, American pianist Jon Nakamatsu continues to draw critical and public acclaim for his intensity, elegance, and electrifying solo, concerto, and chamber music performances. Catapulted to international attention in 1997 as the gold medalist of the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition—the only American to achieve this distinction since 1981—he subsequently developed a multi-faceted career that encompasses recording, education, arts administration, and public speaking, in addition to his vast concert schedule.