Clayton Stephenson Wins Grand Prize of Inaugural Nina Simone Piano Competition
Pianist and Harvard/NEC dual-degree graduate Clayton Stephenson '23 Harvard/NEC, '25 GD won the Grand Prize of the inaugural Nina Simone Piano Competition in Cincinnati, Ohio, after a masterful final-round performance of Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat minor.
The 23-year-old virtuoso competed with two other talented pianists in the finals, performing in front of a live audience and jury. Accompanied by the renowned Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and Music Director Louis Langrée, Clayton thrilled audiences with his performance, taking home $50,000 for the grand prize win.
"Playing Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto no.1 with the amazing Maestro Langrée and the world-class Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra was a surreal experience," said Clayton.
Art of the Piano founder Awadagin Pratt created the Nina Simone Piano Competition to provide a platform for young African American pianists to showcase their skills and gain opportunities, experience, and support.
"I want to thank the founder of the competition, Professor Awadagin Pratt, and the Sphinx Organization for creating this platform to showcase us!"
Clayton completed his undergraduate studies last spring, earning a dual-degree in Economics from Harvard and Piano Performance from NEC with teacher Wha Kyung Byun. Now working toward his Graduate Diploma from NEC, he continues to study with Wha Kyung.
“He’s a rare bird,” Wha Kyung said of her dear student. “When he performs, he’s very compelling and captivating. He touches the heart of the music and the listener. That’s his uniqueness — his performance is quite something because of these qualities.”