About Clayton Stephenson
American pianist Clayton Stephenson's love for music is immediately apparent in his joyous charisma onstage, expressive power, and natural ease at the instrument. Hailed for interpretations that are "fresh, incisive, and characterfully alive" (Gramophone), he is committed to making an impact on the world through his music-making. Growing up in New York City, Clayton found musical inspiration in community programs. As he describes it, the "Third Street Music School jump-started my music education; the Young People's Choir taught me phrasing and voicing; Juilliard's Music Advancement Program introduced me to formal and rigorous piano training, which enabled me to get into Juilliard Pre-College; the Morningside Music Bridge validated my talent and elevated my self-confidence; and the Boy's Club of New York exposed me to Jazz." He received an Avery Fisher Career Grant in 2024 and if a 2025 Sphinx Medal of Excellence honoree. Recent and upcoming highlights include the New York Philharmonic and Houston and Cincinnati Symphony Orchestras; and Grant Park, Washington Performing Arts at the Kennedy Center, Foundation Louis Vuttion, and 92NY.
For more information, visit https://cliburn.org/competitions/relive-past-competitions/2022-cliburn-competition/2022-competition-competitors/clayton-stephenson.
