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Application and Rules for the 2027 Cliburn International Competition for Young Pianists

Read the latest in competition announcements, career updates from medalists, profiles on the Cliburn community, and local concerts.

With the Gold Medal Patron Premium Subscription, you can hear every note from the best seats in the house, attend special events—including the Opening Dinner & Draw Party with the competitors—wear their commemorative pin to gain access to the exclusive Gold Medal Patron Lounge throughout, and more.

A guide for concert-goers to the Cliburn's 2025–2026 Season

Family Concerts

The Cliburn Gala is one of Fort Worth's best parties. This annual black-tie affair features music, dinner, and dancing to raise money for the Cliburn's programs.

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.

Paul Lewis chairs the 2025 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition jury, featuring Till Fellner, Mari Kodama, Anne-Marie McDermott, Gabriela Montero, Jon Nakamatsu, Lise de la Salle, Yevgeny Sudbin, and Wu Han.

2022 Competition Jury

When he was 3 years old, Moscow native Ilya Shmukler’s mother found him jumping on the bed and beautifully singing Robertino Loreti’s “Jamaica;” she immediately recognized his musical talent and started him in lessons. It was important to his non-musician parents that he be raised as a well-rounded person, so his early years were also spent with school, table tennis, and ballroom dancing. But at 10, he says his life changed after applying for and winning his first music competition and attending the subsequent international summer academy: “There I discovered a true musical life, and I fell in love with it, inspiring me to commit my life to music.”