Search

Community Impact landing page

Born in Qinhuangdao, Xiaolu Zang was 4 years old when an electric keyboard caught his attention. He eventually attended the Beijing Central Music Conservatory Middle School for seven years under Professor Ye Lin and won first prizes in several major Chinese competitions. It was during that time, at the age of 15, that he recalls a singular day when he determined himself to become a professional musician. That commitment took him to Germany in 2017, where he studies with Arie Vardi at Hochschule für Musik, Theater und Medien Hannover.

Denis Linnik began his musical education in his hometown of Maryina Horka, Belarus, when he was 6. Just two years later, he moved to Minsk to study piano and live with other talented young musicians—he says being constantly surrounded by music made it a truly inseparable part of his life. His musical development advanced quickly over the next years, leading him to success in youth competitions and successful stints at the State Gymnasium-College of Arts “I.O. Akhremchik” and the Belarusian State Academy of Music.

The Cliburn is proud to announce that Aristo Sham, gold medalist of the Seventeenth Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, has signed with Intermusica New York for worldwide general management. He will represented by Martin Wittenberg (New York office) and David O'Leary (London office).

Join us at Steinway Piano Gallery of Fort Worth across the street from Bass Performance Hall and enjoy a free recital from several 2025 Cliburn competitors. Bring your lunch or purchase onsite from Salsa Limón.

Eighteen pianists advance to the 2025 Cliburn Competition's Quarterfinal Round, taking place May 24–25 at Van Cliburn Concert Hall at TCU in Fort Worth, Texas USA.

Stephen Montoya of FW Magazine writes, "Van Cliburn was more than just a great pianist—he was a force that transcended genres, borders, and decades, forever changing the way the world experienced music. He was not just a musician; he was a global phenomenon."

Info for Fort Worth Concert-Goers

The Cliburn announces the launch of a major new program: the Cliburn International Competition for Conductors, open to 21- to 35-year-old conductors. Taking place in June 2028 in Houston, Texas, in partnership with the Houston Symphony and the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University, it will be the first major international conducting competition in North America.

The cellist, composer, speaker, and curator forges a new, holistic approach to the visioning and management of his career, including a partnership with the Cliburn team.