PianoTexas International Academy & Festival, formerly the TCU/Cliburn Piano Institute, was founded in 1981 during the Sixth Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. This event has evolved into an International Music Festival renowned for its world-class solo, concerto, and chamber music concerts. The International Academy has served as an essential and beneficial avenue for imparting musical insights and understanding of the professional music world to talented young pianists while presenting special programs for dedicated teachers and passionate amateurs. PianoTexas is presented by the School of Music, TCU, in collaboration with the Fort Worth Symphony Association.

The Young Artists Program is designed for gifted young pianists up to age 28 to experience the art of performing in a professional environment. Applicants worldwide undergo a stringent screening procedure from which 24 performers are invited on full-tuition scholarships. PianoTexas’s long-standing collaboration with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra allows several young artists to perform complete concertos in two public concerts. They also have tremendous opportunities for solo recitals and participate in master classes and private lessons. Chamber music, introduced in 2004, and the study of “Lieder” provides these talented performers with a unique variety of opportunities to develop their skills further. Active observers are offered private lessons, while general observers, other participants, and the community are invited to all programs, creating a superb festive atmosphere.

The Teachers Program pioneered the creation of stimulating outlets for teachers to perform. Since 1991, the Festival has developed the idea of this unique “hands-on” experience for teachers by providing opportunities to perform in solo recitals, concertos with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, chamber music with strings, and participating in master classes and individual lessons. Lecture demonstrations and presentations with our famous “Meet the Artists” series allow teachers to explore and discuss various music topics such as style, technique, methods, and the art of teaching.

Established in 1996, PianoTexas’ Amateurs Program is the first of such programs geared explicitly to amateur pianists’ unique needs. This program is designed for non-professional pianists who love music passionately while pursuing their livelihoods in other areas. It provides a perfect venue for them to improve their skills and offers valuable experience in public performance. The truly distinctive aspect of the program is the opportunity to perform with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra. With recitals, chamber music opportunities, master classes,  and private lessons, the program offers artistic and personal development intending to bring out the highest potential in each participant in a joyous and caring atmosphere.

Starting in 2018, the Juniors Program is the newest addition to the well-established programs of PianoTexas. We are confident that it will emerge as a leading preparatory festival for younger students aspiring to learn and master the art of piano performance. This intensive program provides invaluable experience in studying and interacting with esteemed musicians, discovering role models, and presenting fantastic performance opportunities.

PianoTexas is truly the place for everyone to come together to celebrate the magic of the piano and its infinite repertoire. The general public is invited to attend all its concerts and master classes and to meet the guest artists. It aims to unite the community through the art of the piano. It does not matter whether one is an active performer or passive listener; this Festival indeed provides something for everyone in a beautiful atmosphere that genuinely makes Fort Worth the “Cultural Capital of the Southwest.”