What’s the last non-classical track you listened to?
This is an extremely guilty pleasure. On planes, sometimes I listen to Pokemon Lo-Fi.
Do you have any rituals or routines before going on stage?
Not particularly, I’m pretty flexible, but I like to eat three, four hours beforehand. I find some sort of pasta with chicken the most reliable. It’s got carbs, protein, and is unlikely to get me sick.
And right before I go on stage, I definitely like to go through the first three minutes of the first piece, just to get myself in the zone.
What’s your most beautiful memory from the Cliburn competition?
The most seminal moment for me in the Cliburn was in the middle of my semi-final recital, when I suddenly felt free. When I suddenly felt I no longer had this sort of competition pressure, and I just felt free to speak and express my music.
Is there any piece you never tire of playing?
A lot. There’s so much great music.
I mean, anything on my Cliburn program, really, I would play all my life, all the time.
Watch Aristo Sham and top performances from the 2025 Cliburn Competition here.
What’s one mistake that young pianists should make at least once?
I like that question! There are so many.
Well, I have one in general—you can choose if you want to do it or not.
I think young pianists should completely mess up on stage once because they did not listen to something their teacher said that was really wise.
