Shuan Hern Lee will represent Australia in the Cliburn International Junior Piano Competition in Dallas, Texas, this year. The 16-year-old pianist, who recently performed in the West Australian Symphony Orchestra’s season opener in February, is one of 24 competitors between the ages of 13 and 17, representing 11 countries, who were chosen by the Cliburn jury from a pool of 230 pianists.

Shuan Hern Lee

The first-prize winner will receive a cash award of US$15,000, with second and third prize-winners receiving $10,000 and $5,000 respectively. The three top prizes also include $2,000 worth of scholarships and community residency and mentorship opportunities with the Cliburn. This will be the second iteration of the Cliburn’s Junior competition, which was established in 2015. The jury at the 2019 competition is chaired by Italian pianist Alessio Bax, who is currently in Australia for performances with the Sydney and Melbourne symphony orchestras.

Lee tells Limelight he feels “very honoured” to be representing Australia at the elite piano competition. “I never consciously thought that I would end up officially ‘representing’ Australia,” he says. “There are many fantastic and amazing young pianists all over Australia, and so I...