An Evening With a Superstar of Classical Music

The Liliane Questel Recital Series at the Southampton Cultural Center will present American pianist Clayton Stephenson in a captivating solo recital on Saturday, April 19, at 6 p.m. Hailed by Gramophone for his “extraordinary narrative and poetic gifts” and interpretations that are “fresh, incisive and characterfully alive,” Stephenson brings his signature charisma, expressive power and dynamic artistry to the stage in an evening not to be missed.

Stephenson’s remarkable journey began in New York City, where he commenced piano lessons at age seven. His dedication and talent led him to The Juilliard School’s Music Advancement Program and later to the elite precollege division. He is a graduate of the prestigious Harvard/New England Conservatory dual degree program, holding a bachelor’s degree in economics and a master’s in piano performance.

Notably, Stephenson made history as the first Black finalist at the 2022 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition and has garnered accolades including the 2022 Gilmore Young Artist Award, U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts, and recognition as a Young Scholar of the Lang Lang International Music Foundation. He is also a winner of the 2025 Sphinx Medal of Excellence, following in the footsteps of another two-time Grammy-winning American artist, Michelle Cann, who is a longstanding friend of the series.

Recent and upcoming highlights include concertos with the Houston and North Carolina Symphonies and Las Vegas Philharmonic; festival appearances at Grand Teton and Tippet Rise; recitals at venues including Fondation Louis Vuitton and Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall; and collaborations with violinists Nikki and Timothy Chooi in Europe, Canada, and the United States. On the 69th United Nations Day, Stephenson played with the International Youth Orchestra at the U.N. General Assembly Hall. He has been featured on NPR, WUOL, and WQXR, and appeared in the “Grammy Salute to Classical Music” concert at Carnegie Hall’s Stern Auditorium.

This recital program will showcase Stephenson’s signature repertoire, including compositions by Franz Schubert, Igor Stravinsky, Harold Arlen, Keith Jarrett and George Gershwin.

Tickets are $25 in advance at scc-arts.org ($30 at the door). Students under 21 are admitted free. Southampton Cultural Center’s Levitas Center for the Arts is at 25 Pond Lane in Southampton.