Cliburn International Junior Piano Competition Names 2023 Semifinalists

The competition has announced six young pianists for the semifinal round, which will be held in two phases from June 14–15, 2023

Now in its third edition, the Cliburn International Junior Piano Competition and Festival for pianists aged 13 to 17, is taking place on June 8–17, 2023, in Dallas, Texas.  

The 2023 semifinalists are:

• Seokyoung Hong, 15 (South Korea)
• Zihan Jin, 14 (China)
• Modan Oyama, 17 (Japan)
• Jan Schulmeister, 16 (Czechia)
• Zhonghua Wei, 14 (China)
• Yifan Wu, 14 (China)

They are among the 23 pianists who were accepted as competitors in the internationally renowned event, and another 14 non-competing festival participants — all selected through video auditions from 248 applicants from 44 countries.

On June 14, 2023, Phase I of the semifinal will involve a 40-minute recital, including one work written by a living composer. Phase II on the following day will see the six finalists perform one concerto movement with piano accompaniment by Mikhail Berestnev and Anastasia Markina.

Following four rounds, the finals will involve performing with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. The artists will also have opportunities to learn from top international pianists, experts, and fellow performers.

The semifinal rounds will be streamed live here. 

Chaired by Janina Fialkowska, the jury comprises Jane Coop, Adam Golka, Carol Leone, Anton Nel, Roberto Plano, Katia Skanavi, Jeffrey Swann, and Orion Weiss.

Founded in 1962, the quadrennial Van Cliburn International Piano Competition is hosted by the Van Cliburn Foundation. In recent years, the organization has expanded to include competitions for nonprofessional pianists 35 and older, and for young pianists aged 13 to 17. Also a member of the World Federation of International Music Competitions, the Cliburn promotes classical piano music around the world through its competitions, education programs, and concert series.