The future of music, made here.

NEC Alumni Win Gold, Bronze Medals at Van Cliburn International Piano Competition

June 9, 2025

NEC Alumni Win Gold, Bronze Medals at Van Cliburn International Piano Competition

From left: Third Prize winner Evren Ozel, Second Prize winner Vitaly Starikov, First Prize winner Aristo Sham, Cliburn President & CEO Jacques Marquis, and Cliburn Chairman Jeffrey B. King. Photo courtesy of the Cliburn Competition. 

New England Conservatory alumnus Aristo Sham ’20 NEC/Harvard won First Prize at the prestigious Van Cliburn International Piano Competition on Saturday, June 7. Sham, who graduated from the NEC/Harvard dual-degree program, also won the Carla and Kelly Thompson Audience Award.

NEC alumnus Evren Ozel ’21, ’23 MM, ’25 AD won Third Prize and received the award for the Best Performance of a Mozart Concerto. Ozel performed Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 25 in C major, K. 503, in the semifinal round of the competition.

Sham received a $100,000 cash prize for winning the Nancy Lee and Perry R. Bass Gold Medal, and $2,500 for earning the Audience Award. Ozel received $25,000 for winning the Bronze Medal and $5,000 for the Best Performance of a Mozart Concerto. Both pianists will receive management deals, publicity materials, and performance opportunities. Sham will tour in the United States and abroad and Ozel will embark on a U.S. tour. Each medalist will record an album for the Platoon Records label.

Sham studied at NEC with Victor Rosenbaum and earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Harvard University. Ozel studied at NEC with Wha Kyung Byun and earned his artist diploma in the Conservatory’s Institute for Concert Artists. Ozel previously studied at NEC’s Preparatory School.

The Van Cliburn International Piano Competition celebrates the legacy of its namesake, the American pianist who won the International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow in 1958, and “advances classical piano music throughout the world.”

recent news
Joseph Bozich: Becoming a Student Anew

August 1, 2025

Joseph Bozich: Becoming a Student Anew

Read More
Pianist Evren Ozel Releases Recording of Mozart Concertos

July 28, 2025

Pianist Evren Ozel Releases Recording of Mozart Concertos

Read More
Jazz Drummer Billy Hart Tells His Musical Story 

July 21, 2025

Jazz Drummer Billy Hart Tells His Musical Story 

Read More
  • Joseph Bozich: Becoming a Student Anew

    August 1, 2025

    Joseph Bozich: Becoming a Student Anew

  • Pianist Evren Ozel Releases Recording of Mozart Concertos

    July 28, 2025

    Pianist Evren Ozel Releases Recording of Mozart Concertos

  • Jazz Drummer Billy Hart Tells His Musical Story 

    July 21, 2025

    Jazz Drummer Billy Hart Tells His Musical Story 

  • NEC Alumni Work with Students in New Orleans

    July 14, 2025

    NEC Alumni Work with Students in New Orleans

  • London’s Calling Composer Stellan Connelly Bettany    

    July 2, 2025

    London’s Calling Composer Stellan Connelly Bettany    

  • Alyssa Wang ’19 MM Leads NEC’s Summer Orchestra Institute with Thoughtful Perspective

    June 18, 2025

    Alyssa Wang ’19 MM Leads NEC’s Summer Orchestra Institute with Thoughtful Perspective