Campbell River pianist makes history at Cliburn International Piano Competition
Carter Johnson becomes first Canadian finalist in legendary contest’s 62-year history
Tonight in Fort Worth, Texas, the final round of one of the world’s most prestigious classical music competitions begins—and for the first time in its 62-year history, a Canadian is in the running for the top prize.
Carter Johnson, a 28-year-old pianist originally from Campbell River, B.C., is one of six finalists at the 2025 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. Selected from a staggering pool of 340 applicants from 45 countries, Johnson now stands on the brink of global stardom as he prepares to perform two concertos with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra under the baton of guest conductor Marin Alsop.
The final round runs June 3–7 at Fort Worth’s Bass Performance Hall, with each competitor tackling two full-scale piano concertos. Johnson’s first performance, Sergei Prokofiev’s dramatic Piano Concerto No. 2 in G Minor, takes place Tuesday night.
A Canadian first
“To our knowledge, no Canadian has ever made it this far in the Cliburn’s history,” said Susie Moscovich of the Campbell River Friends of Music. “This is akin to reaching the final round of the Stanley Cup. It’s a historic moment.”
Founded in 1962 to honour American pianist Van Cliburn—who famously won the International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow during the Cold War—the Cliburn Competition is a global proving ground for elite young pianists. Often referred to as the Olympics of piano, the competition is held every four years and is credited with launching the international careers of performers such as Olga Kern, Radu Lupu, and Yekwon Sunwoo.
To get to this point, Johnson has already performed in multiple solo and collaborative rounds, surviving cuts that narrowed the original field of 28 competitors to 17 quarterfinalists, then 12 semifinalists, and finally the top six.
From Vancouver Island to the world stage
Johnson began his musical journey at the age of five, studying with Shelley Roberts in Campbell River. His early talent was quickly recognized, and by age 14 he was winning national scholarships and performing widely across Vancouver Island. He later studied at UBC, Juilliard, and now Yale University, where he is completing a Doctor of Musical Arts degree while living in Connecticut with his wife and two young sons.
Over the past several years, Johnson has racked up an impressive list of international accolades, including silver at the 2024 Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition, first prizes in France and Poland, and multiple awards in Australia and the United States. He’s performed with orchestras around the world—from the Montréal Symphony Orchestra to the Polish National Radio Symphony—and appeared in major venues across North America, Europe, and Asia.
Known for his warm stage presence and thoughtful programming, Johnson blends technical brilliance with a passion for connecting audiences to the music. A trained public speaker as well as a pianist, he often introduces pieces during performances, making classical music accessible to both seasoned listeners and newcomers alike.
The other finalists
Joining Johnson in the final round are:
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Philipp Lynov (Russia), 26
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Evren Ozel (United States), 26
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Aristo Sham (Hong Kong China), 29
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Vitaly Starikov (Israel/Russia), 30
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Angel Stanislav Wang (United States), 22
The six were announced Sunday evening following a week of high-stakes semifinal recitals. The jury—chaired by acclaimed pianist Paul Lewis—includes prominent figures from around the world, including Gabriela Montero, Jon Nakamatsu, and Lise de la Salle.
Winners will be revealed Saturday night, with top prizes including international concert tours, management contracts, and recording opportunities.
A historic moment for Canada
For the Canadian classical community, Johnson’s appearance in the finals is a watershed moment. While Canadians have had strong showings in junior and regional competitions, no pianist from Canada has ever cracked the top tier at the Cliburn—until now.
As Johnson takes the stage this week, he carries not only the hopes of his hometown but the pride of an entire nation of music lovers.