![\"Cliburn](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/DSC0744-scaled.jpeg\")
In past years, Cliburn 180 memberships afforded the opportunity to attend three events per year, with some held at private estates. (Courtesy of the Cliburn)<\/p>\nWhile classical piano pieces and concertos remain immortalized as enduring works of art, the organizations that preserve and support them must continually evolve. Fort Worth has no better example of that imperative than the Cliburn, which presents world-class concerts and competitions while booking smaller venues throughout the community to showcase progressive chamber music groups and soloists who appeal to younger audiences.<\/p>\n
Soon after Molly Roberts moved to Fort Worth with her husband, Ryan, she began looking for social groups to make good friends. She settled on the Cliburn 180, a 17-year-old young professionals group that was initially founded to connect visiting competitors with locals who were also in their 20s and 30s.<\/p>\n
In past years, Cliburn 180 memberships afforded the opportunity to attend three events per year, with some held at private estates. (Courtesy of the Cliburn)<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve always had a passion for the performing arts,\u201d Roberts tells PaperCity. \u201cI feel like it\u2019s a really welcoming and friendly community of people. The musician aspect of it is so rewarding \u2014 to be so close and intimate with some of these world-renowned performers and get to hear from them about their backgrounds in a less formal, one-on-one kind of setting. You walk away feeling so fulfilled.\u201d<\/p>\n
In past years, Cliburn 180 memberships afforded the opportunity to attend three events per year, with some held at private estates. The group<\/a>, open to members in their 20s and 30s, recently rebranded as Cliburn Young Professionals. This season marks the debut of the revamped program, which includes additional programming tied to the Cliburn concert series<\/a>.<\/p>\n Michelle Marlow, chairman of the board at the Cliburn, says the young professionals group provides programming and socializing aimed at helping members \u201cfall in love with the Cliburn\u201d while cultivating an appreciation for classical music and the organization\u2019s mission.<\/p>\n Seated around the Cliburn\u2019s central conference room, Garrett Owen, who oversees communications, caught me up on the history of the young professionals group. He shared a photo of Van Cliburn, who died in 2013, standing with the first class of Cliburn young professionals.<\/p>\n \u201cOne of the initial events for the Cliburn 180s was having dinner at Van Cliburn\u2019s house with Van Cliburn. For the 2009 competition, they were looking for ways to engage competitors outside of the competition with people around their same age showing them around Fort Worth.\u201d<\/p>\n Earlier this year, the Cliburn team began asking their young professional members what changes they wanted to see. The main feedback was that three events were not enough to maintain the connections members made. Owen says the renaming was simply a practical matter: People didn\u2019t automatically connect \u201cCliburn 180\u201d with a young professionals group.<\/p>\n \u201cI think the new programming allows for more flexibility and variety,\u201d she says. \u201cThe increased number of events will help create more connections.\u201d<\/p>\n This year\u2019s program is anchored by three main events, with one in October, December, and April, plus four all-new additions tied to the Cliburn\u2019s concert series. When Cliburn Young Professionals members, for example, attend Bridget Kibbey\u2019s Bach to Brazil<\/a> on November 4, they will have their own seating area and half-price tickets.<\/p>\n When Cliburn staff came to Marlow with the idea of rebranding the Cliburn 180 and expanding its programming, she immediately loved the idea.<\/p>\n Any successful arts organization requires supporters, attendees, and donors, and the Cliburn Young Professionals offers an \u201centry point\u201d for young adults who are passionate about the arts to learn more about the Cliburn in a fun, social setting. Membership in the group can be a first step that eventually leads to board positions and other important roles within the broader Cliburn organization.<\/p>\n Molly, who has lived in Philadelphia, New York, and other large cities, says the Cliburn has been uniquely accessible for a performing arts organization with a global reach. She credits that to the Cliburn\u2019s president and CEO, Jacques Marquis, who she says treats everything with such \u201ccare and intentionality.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Cliburn](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/DSC5427_edit-scaled.jpg\")
Cliburn 180, which is open to members in their 20s and 30s, recently underwent a complete rebranding as Cliburn Young Professionals. (Courtesy of the Cliburn)
\nA Rebranding, New Programming, and a Renewed Commitment to Fostering Classical Music Supporters<\/p>\n![\"Cliburn](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/IMG_8882.jpg.webp\")
Past Cliburn 180 events featured intimate private events. (Courtesy of the Cliburn)
\nFrom Young Professionals to Lifelong Cliburn Supporters<\/p>\n