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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.”

In this concert, 3 of 6 competitors will each perform concertos with Marin Alsop and the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra.

Paul Lewis, chairman of the 2025 Cliburn jury, is one of the foremost interpreters of the Central European piano repertoire, his performances and recordings of Beethoven and Schubert receiving universal critical acclaim. He was awarded CBE in 2016 for his services to music, and the sincerity and depth of his musical approach have won him fans around the world.

Young Professionals Events

In this concert, 4 of 12 competitors will each perform a Mozart concerto with Carlos Miguel Prieto and the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra.

In this concert, 4 of 18 competitors will each perform a 40-minute recital.

2022 Competition Jury

Lewis Warren, Jr. is an award-winning pianist, arranger, composer, and improviser based in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. He started piano lessons at 8 years old and has since won competitions, recorded albums, and performed on television. His flexible music skills and powerful ability to connect with diverse audiences have been hallmarks of his career.

Jury for the 2027 Cliburn International Competition for Young Pianists

The Cliburn announces that its 2026 Gala: Iconically American, will take place Friday, April 10 at the Fort Worth Zoo Reserve. A nod to the United States' 250th birthday, the black-tie event pays homage to the classic elegance of the organization's inspiration and namesake, Van Cliburn—one of the most iconic American musicians and cultural diplomats in history.

Always one of the best parties of the year, this edition will take the party a step further: Texas artists and lifelong friends Lyle Lovett and Robert Earl Keen will take the stage to perform their signature American music.