It’s exciting to see the rising stars of classical music, and today’s Beautiful Music features one of them. And it is a marvelous story of the power of music, the tenacity and resourcefulness of an exceptionally talented young man, and the support and encouragement of teachers and mentors. Twenty-one year old pianist Clayton Stephenson is a New York City native who started piano lessons at age 7. He was accepted into the Julliard Outreach Music Advancement Program at age 8, and says he fell in love with music there by watching the student recitals. He advanced to Juilliard’s elite Pre-College Division at age 10, practicing on a synthesizer at home until he found an old upright piano on the street that an elementary school had thrown away. That was his practice piano for the next six years, until the Lang Lang Foundation donated a new piano to him when he was 17. You can see two of his performances. First, from 6 years ago at age 17, he plays Franz Liszt’s MEPHISTO WALTZ #1 in the Lang Lang International Music Foundation Masterclass. Second, watch Clayton Stephenson (now 23 years old!) perform Sergei Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto #3 in d minor op. 30 from the June 2022 finals of the Cliburn International Competition. Such technique, artistry, and poise! You can also use the links below to learn more about this rising star!