Eva Gevorgyan Wins Cliburn Prize in Dallas, Texas

The International sensation Eva Gevorgyan, 15, won the Shirley Cox McIntyre Second Prize and a cash award of $10,000 in the prestigious 2019 Cliburn International Junior Plano Competition on Saturday June 8, 2019 at the Morton H. Meyerson Center in Dallas, Texas.  She also won the coveted Press Award of $500. Ms. Gevorgyan played the Rachmaninov Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, op. 43 in her final round.

St. Sarkis parishioners were in the audience along with many more listening to the broadcast in a nearby park.  The excitement of Gevorgyan reaching the pinnacle of piano artistry as a Russian Armenian had brought the Dallas/Fort Worth community together to support her and her mother Ksenia in their brief but stellar visit to Dallas.

Eva Gevorgyan had already garnered multiple honors around the world, mostly in first place, before entering this competition.  Among them were the Robert Schumann International Competition, the Chopin competition for young musicians, the International Festival of Young Performers in Armenia and the World Wnderkinds Concert in Italy attended by the Italian President.

The competition was held May 31-June 8, 2019 for talented youth aged 13-17 from around the world. The Junior Competition and Festival was established in 2015 for the Cliburn to use its standing and expertise to encourage tomorrow’s great artists, and to give them an entrance to the next step of their journeys.  The next competition will be held in 2023.
St. Sarkis has had a strong affiliation with all the arts, considering that the community boasts two organists for its chancel choir, an outstanding dance group Groung, and an amazing singing ensemble Zartonk in addition to a children’s choir.  Hasmik Virabyan, organist, who met with Eva, commented on her grace and poise with: “Our girl made us so proud with her presence and exceptional skills.” Gevorgyan was indeed inspirational, setting the bar high for our youth.

You can see Eva Gevorgyan’s performance at YouTube.com/the Cliburn.  Former First Lady Laura Bush, who with the former president resides in Dallas, was the Honorary Chairman of the event.

Written by Mary Mukhtarian