ARTIST ROSTER

2025 CLIBURN WINNERS

The Van Cliburn International Piano Competition is widely considered “the instrument’s Olympics” (The Guardian, June 2025) and “one of the most prestigious contests in classical music” (The New York Times, June 2022). From its origins in 1962 through today, it has remained dedicated to sharing music with the largest international audience possible and to launching the careers of its winners. Known for excellence and innovation in the digital space, the Cliburn is one of the most-watched events in classical music: views over the past four years have topped 100 million across 200 countries.

The Cliburn is a proven catalyst to significant worldwide touring careers for its winners, with a laureate roster that—in the past 25 years alone—includes Olga Kern, Joyce Yang, Haochen Zhang, Nobuyuki Tsujii, Yeol Eum Son, Vadym Kholodenko, Beatrice Rana, Yekwon Sunwoo, and Yunchan Lim. And to that list, it now adds its 2025 class: Aristo Sham (gold), Vitaly Starikov (silver), and Evren Ozel (bronze).

As in competitions past, the three medalists receive a comprehensive and personalized career management package, including three years of concert bookings, artistic planning mentorship, traditional and social media training, logistics support, and tax and financial planning guidance, as well as commercial recording releases and a complete promotional package.

For the laureates of the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, competing in—and winning—one of the world’s major classical music events marks only the beginning of their professional lives in music. The Competition is foremost a launch pad for establishing meaningful careers.

This is an award from the Cliburn, distinct from the Cliburn Agency roster.

NEWS

MISSION

The Cliburn Agency is a full-service boutique firm that offers comprehensive general management, concert booking, project management, and publicity and branding services to a select group of rising and established instrumentalists—piano and beyond—whose high artistic caliber is matched by a vision for moving the field of classical music forward.

From intriguing programming and projects to alternative concerts and community engagement, the touring musicians of the Agency roster are dedicated to connection and creativity—and they are partnering with the Cliburn to enhance and magnify their careers, efforts, and impact.

“The Cliburn Agency is a compelling expansion of the Cliburn’s brand and impact. Our core mission is to support artists and continuously advance classical music. The management and promotion of exceptional musicians—particularly those with a specific fervor and dedication for expanding audiences and breaking down barriers—is the next step in realizing that mission. Through this new program, the Cliburn develops another powerful way to meet the moment and find new ways to expand classical music’s reach as a source of commonality and shared experience in today’s world.”
– Jacques Marquis, president & CEO

TEAM

Jacques Marquis

PRESIDENT & CEO

Sandra Doan

DIRECTOR OF ARTISTIC PLANNING

sdoan@cliburn.org  I   817.738.6536

Gillian Boley

ASSOCIATE BOOKING & ARTIST MANAGER

gboley@cliburn.org  I   817.738.6536

Yonca Karakilic

ARTIST MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT

ykarakilic@cliburn.org  I   817.738.6536