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Nicholas Mcgegan, Conductor

Yangrui Cai began his piano studies at age 4, though none of his family had any music- or art-related background. When he was 15, a first-place finish in the national auditions earned him a spot in China’s Xinghai Conservatory of Music Middle School. Upon his graduation with distinction in July 2019, the Hunan native was admitted to several prestigious conservatories in the United States with full scholarships. He is currently a third-year undergraduate student at Oberlin Conservatory, under the tutelage of 2001 Cliburn Gold Medalist Stanislav Ioudenitch.

Known for his charisma and expressive interpretations, Mexican conductor Carlos Miguel Prieto has established himself not just as a major figure in the orchestra world but also as an influential cultural leader, educator, and a champion of new music. In a significant career development, he will start his tenure as Music Director of the North Carolina Symphony at the beginning of the 2023–24 season.

The Houston Symphony is a key partner is the 2028 Cliburn International Competition for Conductors

Named "a remarkable feat that demands to be heard," 2022 Cliburn Gold Medalist Yunchan Lim's debut studio album received the Instrumental Award nomination from BBC Music Magazine.

The violinist enters the next phase of her career with worldwide general management by the Cliburn Agency.

Two favorite initiatives return for the 2025 Cliburn Competition: the student-created painted banners, adorning Houston and Main Streets in downtown Fort Worth; and the Adopt-A-Competitor series, featuring free concerts from 2025 competitors at the Fort Worth, Burleson, and Euless Public Libraries.

Marin Alsop, jury chair for the 2028 Cliburn International Competition for Conductors

Daniil Trifonov; All-American Concertos with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra + Robert Spano and soloists Amaryn Olmeda, Joshua Roman, and Angel Stanislav Wang; 2017 Cliburn Gold Medalist Yekwon Sunwoo; 2025 Cliburn Bronze Medalist Evren Ozel; J'Nai Bridges, mezzo-soprano; Bridget Kibbey's Bach to Brazil; Sterling Elliott, cello + Elliot Wuu, piano; Stella Chen, violin + Gilles Vonsattel, piano; Mikaela Bennett, soprano; Anna Geniushene + Lukas Geniušas, piano duo; 2027 Cliburn Festival: Lunar New Year

Vote for your favorite competitor! The pianist with the most votes will receive the Carla and Kelly Thompson Audience Award and a cash prize of $2,500, presented at the Awards Ceremony on June 7, 2025.